Tokyo | New York | London | Berlin — March 7, 2024 — Sony Group Corporation (Sony) and Nature have partnered to launch the “Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature.” The inaugural award, open for applications from today, will recognize three outstanding early to mid-career women researchers in technology (including science, engineering, and mathematics) whose work is driving a positive impact on society and the planet.

With women comprising less than a third of technology roles in the global workforce, Sony and Nature will use this award to champion promising women researchers during crucial phases in their research and career development. The winners of the award will be announced in early 2025. All three winners to support and accelerate work related to their research and a chance to showcase their research work and achievements on nature.com.

Comment from Hiroaki Kitano, Senior Executive Vice President and CTO, Sony Group Corporation
“At Sony, we build technology for creators. We believe that creators are not just artists, but also scientists and engineers – people who are actively working to build an inspiring future. Technological breakthroughs and innovations to make them work in the real world, solving problems, and exploring new opportunities call for the highest level of creativity. To achieve this creativity, diversity of expertise and experiences is essential. We are excited to launch the “Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature” to support outstanding female researchers at a critical stage in their careers and delighted to work with Nature on this important initiative. We are thrilled to launch this program as part of our broader endeavor across Sony to support diversity in creative and technical fields.”Click here for Hiroaki Kitano’s video message.

Comment from Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief, Nature
“Research and technology have a key role in setting the agenda in how to address and tackle some of our world’s most pressing challenges. Yet, of those who pursue research as a profession, only around 30% are women, and when it comes to technology, women are less than a fifth of those currently working in this sector. It should be everyone’s responsibility to support women in research and technology. Their contributions bring much-needed diversity and inclusion and deserve to be celebrated. If we are to see a technology sector that continues to innovate and think creatively, we need more women in active research and engineering. At Nature, we are in a unique position to help support that change. Through this new award with Sony, we can provide a global platform to celebrate the work of emerging women researchers and engineers who may otherwise go unheralded. Women who, through their work, are driving positive change for the planet and society need new opportunities to showcase their work and be awarded for it.”Click here for Magdalena Skipper’s video message.

Applications for the award will be accepted from March 6 through May 31, 2024. Submissions will be evaluated by a judging panel of independent, esteemed technologists, scientists, and experts from across the globe, including Nature Editor-in-Chief Dr. Magdalena Skipper as well as Dr. Hiroaki Kitano, CTO of Sony Group Corporation. Each application will be judged on the merits of ambition, innovation, conceptual excellence, impact, and social significance.

Eligibility Details
• The award is open to applicants who self-identify as women and conduct research and development in technology, encompassing domain experts across all fields of mathematics, science, and engineering. An inclusive definition of “woman” and “women” applies, welcoming trans women, genderqueer, and non-binary people.
• Eligible researchers working within a university, research institute, or university spin-out company are encouraged to apply. This includes part-time and contract workers; a PhD is not a prerequisite in eligibility criteria.
• All three winners will be selected from the early to mid-career stage (less than 25 years from undergraduate degree), with at least one from the early career stage (less than 15 years from undergraduate degree).