A new prize to help women breakthrough in male dominated science subjects will change the gender narrative in STEM, according to a leading clinical researcher.

The Marie Krogh Young Women in Science Prize, launched by global healthcare company Novo Nordisk, is named after the Danish physician and co-founder of Novo Nordisk and celebrates visionary leadership and excellence in science and medicine.

The prize, which will be announced in October, recognises those who are advancing their fields, but also aims to expand opportunities for early to mid-career women. 

Dr Ana Svensson, Vice President of Clinical, Medical and Regulatory at Novo Nordisk Oceania and member of the prize’s judging panel said the award could “make the difference between staying or leaving the field”.

“Now more than ever, we need to spotlight the contributions of women in science,” said Dr Svensson. “While Australia is home to an incredible pool of female talent in science, many still face systemic barriers that limit visibility and opportunity.

“Recognition at this stage affirms their value and helps sustain their trajectory.

“Success means seeing more women enter and thrive in STEM, greater representation in leadership, and mainstream recognition of their achievements. It’s about changing the narrative, and the numbers.”

Women only account for 37 per cent of university enrolments in STEM fields, with even fewer represented in STEM jobs at just 15 per cent. 

The Women Staying in The STEM Workforce report from 2021 found over one-third of the female STEM workforce, aged 25 to 35, considered leaving their profession within five years of commencing due to insufficient pay, poor working conditions and personal pressures such as motherhood.

The trend of women leaving STEM fields mid-career is known as the “leaky pipeline”, where significant structural and cultural barriers make it difficult to stay, leading to under-representation in the field. 

“I first started working in industry, in a battery start-up, you have plenty of females who work in HR and finance but in the lab there was only one,” said Luna Pandiella-McLeod, a biotechnology and chemical engineering student at UNSW.

“[There’s] a lot of old white men, to put it bluntly. It would be better to see more diversity especially because when I was young, I literally saw a female engineer and was like ‘that’s what I want to do.’”

Challenges still persist… these include unconscious bias, limited access to mentorship, and a lack of flexible career pathways.

The importance of role models for women can be understated given the lack of representation to inspire students.

“You’ve got the stereotypical ‘oh, Ada Lovelace’ with coding but like that’s not really my field,” said Pandiella-McLeod.

Dr Svensson said more needed to be done to support emerging talent and help shape a more inclusive future for science and medicine.

“For many women pursuing careers in STEM, challenges still persist,” said Dr Svensson. “These include unconscious bias, limited access to mentorship, and a lack of flexible career pathways that accommodate different life stages.

“Mid-career is often a critical juncture. It’s when many women face competing demands, professionally and personally, and when support can make the difference between staying or leaving the field. Recognition at this stage affirms their value and helps sustain their trajectory.”

Fellow judge and chief executive of Health and Wellbeing Queensland Dr Robyn Littlewood said: “Women are driving some of the most transformative health innovations in this country – but too often, their contributions go unrecognised.”

Anita Lin, a UNSW chemical engineering student, said she also wants a future where diversity and support flourishes for women in STEM. Throughout her engagement with STEM at a tertiary level, she said she has encountered many female students interested in STEM, who are deterred due to cost and travel demands which account for low enrolment.

“My brothers and I are the first generation in our family to go to university and graduate high school,” she said. “The scholarship makes it worth it. I have to travel over an hour.”

The winner of the Marie Krogh Prize will receive $50,000, while each of the finalists will get $7,000 each. 

The world needs to be more supportive of women choosing their own paths,” said Lin.

Applicants have until September 28 to submit their applications, and finalists will be announced on October 29, with an award event and oration in Canberra in November. 

Main image of Dr Ana Svensson supplied.