[ASA] Fwd: Call for IAU STEM Ambassador Recognition Awards 2025–2026

[Richard McDermid]

Dear ASA,

Please see below the IAU Women in Astronomy Working Group's second call for nominations for the IAU STEM Ambassador Recognition Awards. This is the second year these awards have run, with previous awardees including ASA member and former ASTRO 3D Centre of Excellence Director, Professor Lisa Kewley.

Please consider nominating yourself or colleagues. The deadline for submissions is February 15th.

With best wishes for 2026,
Richard

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Professor Richard McDermid
(he/him)

Director, Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO)
Director, Astrophysics and Space Technologies Research Centre
President, Astronomical Society of Australia
Macquarie University,
Sydney, Australia

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Begin forwarded message:

From: IAU Women in Astronomy WG <iauwia2124 at gmail.com>
Subject: Call for IAU STEM Ambassador Recognition Award 2025–2026
Date: 8 January 2026 at 1:14:13 am AEDT
To: IAU Women in Astronomy WG <iauwia2124 at gmail.com>



Dear Colleagues,

We wish you a very Happy New Year and hope that 2026 brings you good health, success, and inspiration.

The IAU Women in Astronomy Working Group (WiA WG) is pleased to open the second call for nominations for the IAU STEM Ambassador Recognition Award 2025–2026. This award recognises individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to advancing gender equity and inclusion in astronomy through leadership, policy development, mentorship, outreach, and advocacy.

Each year, one STEM Ambassador Recognition Medalist and at least five STEM Ambassador Advocates are selected. The recipients from last year can be found here:
https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/sJU5CVARKgCkVYnKoSzhvHEx6aq?domain=iau.org<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/sJU5CVARKgCkVYnKoSzhvHEx6aq?domain=iau.org>

Award Categories

Nominations are invited in the following categories:

  1.  Senior permanent faculty members or Directors (F/M/O) who have introduced policies that hire, support, and increase opportunities for women in astronomy.

  2.  Female non-permanent researchers (F) with more than six years post-PhD experience, with a strong record of advocacy for gender balance through sustained awareness, funding, and training initiatives.

  3.  Female researchers from minority backgrounds (F) with more than six years post-PhD experience, demonstrating sustained advocacy for gender balance through regular awareness and training initiatives in the workplace.

  4.  Male researchers in permanent positions (M/O) who have been gender-balance advocates for more than six years, leading or supporting efforts against gender-based harassment in the workplace.

  5.  Outreach members and Engineering/Technical staff (F) with more than six years post-PhD experience, who have a strong record of advocacy through outreach activities and active engagement in gender-balance initiatives, awareness programs, and support for the careers of women researchers.

  6.  STEM Ambassador Recognition Medal
The Medal will be awarded to an outstanding individual from Category 1 (F/M/O) who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing gender equity and inclusion through supportive policies, inclusive hiring, training, advocacy, and efforts to combat gender-based harassment in the workplace—particularly under resource-limited conditions.

This distinction aims to highlight leadership that is often carried out in unpaid or underpaid roles, yet has significant global reach and impact.

Nominators may indicate on the nomination form whether their Category 1 nominee should also be considered for the STEM Ambassador Recognition Medal. This distinction recognises long-term leadership, mentorship, and advocacy aligned with the IAU’s vision of a more inclusive global astronomy community.

Eligibility

The IAU welcomes a diverse and inclusive environment. Nominations are open to astronomers of all genders, whose work has tangibly advanced gender balance, inclusive hiring practices, training opportunities, or supportive institutional environments. Self-nominations are welcome.

Selection Process

All nominations will be reviewed by the IAU Women in Astronomy Working Group based on the nominee’s demonstrated impact, leadership, sustainability of contributions, and alignment with the goals of equity, diversity, and inclusion in astronomy. All submissions will be treated with strict confidentiality.

How to Nominate

Nominations must be submitted via the IAU STEM Ambassador Recognition Nomination Form 2025–2026 available at- https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/0mVwCWLVXkUX1VLYmSKi2HoWT-p?domain=forms.gle<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/0mVwCWLVXkUX1VLYmSKi2HoWT-p?domain=forms.gle>

Deadline for submissions: 15 February 2026

We thank you for your support in recognising individuals whose dedication and advocacy have strengthened our community and advanced equity in astronomy.

Best regards,
Mamta Pommier
Chair, IAU Women in Astronomy Working Group



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Best regards,
Mamta Pommier (Chair)

International Astronomical Union Women in Astronomy WG
https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/hsyDCXLW2mUDlWPNoUksEHW8Rr8?domain=sites.google.com<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/hsyDCXLW2mUDlWPNoUksEHW8Rr8?domain=sites.google.com>
https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/IkbKCYW8NocpKwWZ2TMtQHxme35?domain=iau.org<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/IkbKCYW8NocpKwWZ2TMtQHxme35?domain=iau.org/>

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