Women lose out in Spanish science prizes

Only 18 per cent of science prizes awarded in Spain recognise the work of women, a government study has shown.

The study, which analysed the representation of women in 37 national awards, concludes that the number of female winners decreases as the value of the prize rises. Only 7 per cent of prizes worth more than €100,000 were won by women, it finds. 

The conclusions, released on 9 March by the Spanish minister for economy and competitiveness, show that prize panels often fail to meet gender balance. Reviewers who are women represent about the 22 per cent of the total number of evaluators, it concluded.