The Royal Photographic Society's Women in Photography Group has announced the finalists of the inaugural Woman Science Photographer of the Year competition at an awards ceremony hosted by the Royal Photographic Society in Bristol ahead of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, as initiated by the UN General Assembly.
The winning photograph is Wathershed Triptych by Margaret LeJeune (USA). Jury member Yas Crawford describes the panel's recognition of LeJeune's artistic interpretation of one of today's key environmental issues as 'an endorsement of just how far we can go when combining science and art in a thoughtful and informing way'.
The Beauty of Soap Bubbles by Kelly Zhang (USA) was announced winner of The Young Woman Science Photographer of the Year. She reiterates the importance of the award as 'it not only represents an achievement but also serves as an encouragement for other women and girls to pursue their passions and careers in science.'
Nanosatelite by Lina Yeleuova (Kazakhstan) was selected runner-up in the Young Woman Photographer category for her documentation of the UniSat Nano-satellite Educational Programme for Girls (UNEPG), a joint initiative of UNICEF and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
Award winner Margaret LeJeune stressed the importance of The Woman Science Photographer of the Year towards achieving balanced representation: "This award calls attention to the exciting creative research that many women-identifying artists around the world are doing in their studios, labs, and classrooms. Representation helps to invite the next generation to follow their curiosity and get involved in the fields of science and art."
The digital exhibition of winning and shortlisted entries will be on display at RPS House, 337 Paintworks, Amos Vale, Bristol BS4 3AR until 30 March.
See all the selected images here: https://rps.org/groups/women-in-photography/wip-competitions/the-rps-woman-science-photographer-of-the-year/
