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Awards, keynotes and gender equity in coastal geoscience and engineering: A 50-year perspective
Kat Wilson1, Sarah Grace Lott2, Katherine Anarde2
1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Boston College, USA.
Cambridge Prisms. Coastal Futures
|June 22, 2026
Summary
Gender representation in coastal geosciences and engineering (CGE) awards has improved, with women receiving 42% of honors since 2020. However, disparities persist in senior-level awards and selection process transparency.
Area of Science:
- Coastal geosciences and engineering (CGE)
- Academic recognition and awards
- Gender equity in STEM
Background:
- Awards and keynotes are vital for academic career progression and visibility.
- Women are historically underrepresented in STEM honors and awards.
- Evaluating gender equity in the CGE community is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess gender distribution in CGE awards and keynotes over the past 50 years.
- To examine the transparency and inclusivity of award nomination and selection procedures.
- To identify progress and persistent gaps in gender equity within the CGE field.
Main Methods:
- Compiled data on 1,138 awards and invited keynotes in CGE from professional societies and conferences.
- Analyzed gender distribution of honorees over time (pre-2000, 2000-2019, post-2020).
- Reviewed publicly available nomination and selection procedures for transparency and inclusivity.
Main Results:
- Men received 65% of honors, while women and gender-diverse individuals received 35% overall.
- Female representation increased from <6% before 2000 to 42% since 2020.
- Late-career awards and keynotes remain disproportionately male-dominated; selection procedures often lack transparency.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress in gender equity for CGE recognition has been made, particularly in recent years.
- Persistent disparities exist in senior-level awards and the transparency of selection processes.
- Recommendations include clearer nomination policies, bias reduction, improved record-keeping, and more mid-career awards.
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