The number of women in science, technology and innovation in the world’s leading economies is alarmingly low and actually on the decline in several, including the U.S. Women remain severely under-represented in degree programs for these fields. Even in countries where the numbers of women studying science and technology have increased, more women are not finding their way into the workplace.
This why the recent winners of the 2014 Elsevier Foundation prizes are impressive not only for their research, but for their potential, as these awards and recognition could bring exciting new opportunities for research. Plus, over time, these researchers will fulfil their potential as teachers and mentors, as partners in international projects and as advisers to governments. Such leadership can make a long-lasting contribution to global science.