WISE Awards 2025
Join us on Thursday, 20 February, as we celebrate our 2025 WISE Award winners.
Our WISE Awards celebrate outstanding women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) pioneers, including allies and organisations who are doing fantastic things to improve gender equity in STEM.
The awards shine a light on the hard work, success, determination and commitment of individuals and organisations who are helping to grow the number of women in the UK STEM workforce and making impactful changes to gender balance within their organisation.
We want to champion a positive culture in which women in STEM are publicly acknowledged, valued and celebrated to help inspire the next generation. Our awards are an opportunity to celebrate role models within our sector and look to inspire even more girls, women and young people to follow in their footsteps.
Our 2025 WISE Award winners will be announced on Thursday, 20 February 2025, at our awards ceremony being held at IET London: Savoy Place.
We are delighted to invite you to join us for this dazzling and memorable evening of celebration featuring:
- our WISE Awards ceremony, where we recognise exceptional individuals and organisations who are making significant contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM.
- a drinks reception for enjoying refreshments and entertainment.
- time to make new connections as you network with like-minded professionals from across the industry.
Please note that tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis, so please BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment.
The 2025 WISE Awards categories
The Princess Royal’s WISE Lifetime Achievement Award
This award honours a woman who has made significant and evident impact in STEM throughout her established career.
The Princess Royal’s WISE Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a woman who has been in her career for a number of years and achieved long-term success. She may be someone who started at an early age and worked her way up, or simply made her mark as a long-standing woman in STEM.
She is a role model for future generations, with notable achievements and success stories throughout her career.
Meet the finalists: Andrea White, Elena Rodriguez-Falcon and Flavia Popescu.
Thank you to our judges for this award, Dawn Ohlson, Fiona Clark and Katy Deacon.
The Princess Royal’s WISE Rising Star Award
Celebrating a promising woman who is making great strides in the early stages of her STEM career. This could be a young rising star who has made her mark in the infancy of her career, or it could be a more mature woman who is brand new to working in STEM, and has shown real promise despite not being in the sector for very long.
Either way, this woman is already showing evidence of having made an impact and is a role model for other women in STEM.
Meet the finalists: Beth Jenkins, Lella Violet Halloum and Rucha Smith.
Thank you to our judges for this award: Adrienne Houston, Katy Deacon and Salma Alarefi.
Nurturing New Talent Award
Proudly sponsored by GCHQ.
This award celebrates one of the most important leadership characteristics – compassion. It recognises a special individual, or organisation, who acts selflessly and passionately to help others and shine a light ahead for the next generation in STEM.
They have invested time and energy into growing and developing others to have a successful career in STEM. They have proven examples of how they have enabled new talent to fulfil their ambitions within a STEM career.
Meet the finalists: Kristy Moir, Laura Fogg-Rogers and Polly Morgan.
Thank you to our judges for this award: Jack Painter, Karrie Liu and Lucy Killerby.
Outstanding Woman in Engineering Award
Proudly sponsored by BAE Systems.
Celebrating a woman in engineering who has done something exceptional in her chosen field, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps. She is a trailblazer and stands out from the rest, with provable results to show she is improving the engineering world with her work.
She is a role model to others, highlighting a successful career which is possible for women in STEM.
Meet the finalists: Isobel Houghton, Kirsty McDermott and Sarah Badesha.
Thank you to our judges for this award: Natalia Adamson, Meg Hulland and Sara Killingworth.
Outstanding Woman in Science Award
Proudly sponsored by Pfizer.
Commending a talented woman who has achieved extraordinary things in the field of science, setting an example for other women. She is someone who has gone above and beyond to improve the world of science.
An exceptional role model for others within the field of science, leading the way to make the world a better place.
Meet the finalists: Anna Pilkington, Catherine Ross and Farah Khan.
Thank you to our judges for this award: Claire Riley, Liz Collins and Morgan Payne.
Outstanding Woman in Technology Award
Proudly sponsored by Northrop Grumman.
Spotlighting an innovative woman who has excelled in the field of technology, and illustrates the capabilities and future success of women in tech. The winner will demonstrate initiative and talent in a way that stands out from the rest, with clear evidence of how she is improve the technology world with her work.
She should set an example for those who follow her path, illustrating that success is possible for future women in STEM.
Meet the finalists: Bella Boulderstone, Laurence Levy and Sharan Johnstone.
Thank you to our judges for this award: Fiona Clark, Mils Braine and Ming Tang.
STEM Ally Award
Proudly sponsored by BDO.
Recognising an individual of any gender who is a truly invested ally, supporting the progression of women in STEM with proven impact. They should have examples of how they have supported gender equity and the progression of women in STEM. They shine bright in their field as an example of allyship, with proven impact on the lives of others as a result.
This special award recognises the importance of allyship and the role that all genders can play in shifting the dial on gender parity in STEM.
Meet the finalists: Hayley Burns, Paul Williams and Vince Pizzoni.
Thank you to our judges for this award: Claire Riley, Ivan Marziano and Zaheer Ahmad.
STEM Returner Award
Proudly sponsored by STEM Returners.
Celebrating a talented woman who has returned to STEM and made a significant positive impact following a career break. Someone who has come back to her career with a bang, making their mark within the sector.
They may have left the field to develop in another area, or had time out for personal reasons but regardless, this person should have demonstrated first-hand how re-starting their career is possible, inspiring others to do the same.
Meet the finalists: Chineye Princess Udeze, Evona Teh and Maria Holloway-Strong.
Thank you to our judges for this award: Katie Perry, Liz Holland and Natalie Desty.
Outreach and Engagement Award
Proudly supported by ERA Foundation.
Recognising an exceptional individual of any gender who has gone above and beyond to engage with and inspire women and girls to pursue a STEM career.
This award focuses on how an individual has demonstrated their commitment to outreach and engagement to showcase STEM as a desirable career for girls and women. They should be able to demonstrate how they’ve positively engaged and inspired marginalised groups to pursue a future in STEM.
This outstanding individual is passionate about, and dedicated to, increasing the number of women working in STEM.
Meet the finalists: Alyx Murdock, Anastasia Sofroniou and Julie Feest.
Thank you to our judges for this award: Katie Perry, Mamta Singhal and Simon White.
Women’s Wellbeing at Work Award
Proudly sponsored by ECITB.
Celebrating an organisation that holistically and proactively supports women’s health and wellbeing in the workplace. This could includes areas such as menopause, menstrual health, fertility or mental health.
The organisation should be a leading example, who have proven evidence of the impact they are having on their employees. They are also having an impact on the wider industry and share best practice to help improve the overall workplace wellbeing for women in STEM.
Meet the finalists: AtkinsRéalis, Network Rail and Ocado Technology.
Thank you to our judges for this award: Christopher Knibb, Elysha Paige and Sian Usher.
EDI Organisation of the Year Award
Proudly sponsored by Amazon.
Celebrating an outstanding organisation that is leading the way in EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion), particularly demonstrating best practice and initiatives within STEM.
The organisation should demonstrate various ways in which they have developed an inclusive culture within their business. They should be dedicated to EDI, with a proactive mindset and proven track record. They have a specific focus on women within the workplace and are pioneering change throughout their organisation and beyond.
Meet the finalists: AtkinsRéalis, Network Rail and Playground Games.
Thank you to our judges for this award: Adrienne Houston, Tolu Oke and Zaheer Ahmad.