The award recognises outstanding leadership by a physicist in academia, industry or government who has inspired or mentored early career physicists and/or developed more equitable workplaces in Australia.

The award consists of a medal and a certificate, and is awarded biennially.

Eligibility Requirements

• The award is for a female physicist.
• The nominee must be a member of the AIP.
• The nominee must be nominated by a Proposer who is a member of the AIP; self-nomination by an AIP member is also acceptable.

Nomination Material and Process

The online Women in Leadership Medal nomination form requires the Proposer to provide:

• A synopsis of the applicant’s contributions to leadership, mentorship, support to equitable workplaces and the support of early career physicists consisting of a one sentence citation capturing the contributions.
• A longer citation (no more than 300 words) that briefly summarises the nominee’s contributions in relation to the award application. This is to be written for a scientifically literate lay person. This will be used for promotion/certificates if the nominee is successful.
• A current CV.
• The names and contact details of three (3) referees, with at least one external to the nominee’s present employer and not a former or current co-author/collaborator of the nominee. The referees must have appropriate expertise to offer a critical appraisal of the nominee's achievements.

Nominations, including all supporting documentation, should be submitted via the online Women in Leadership Medal nomination form, by the advertised closing date. Referees should submit their letters of reference using this submission form, independently of any correspondence from the nominee, also by the advertised closing date.

Assessment Criteria

Nominees will be evaluated on the basis of:

• the nominee’s track record of holding distinguished leadership roles;
• the impact and outcomes of the nominee’s leadership during her career;
• the contribution of the nominee to forging equitable workplaces;
• the testimonials of the referees.

Previous Winners

• 2024 Professor Jodie Bradby, Australian National University
• 2022 Professor Celine Boehm, University of Sydney