Celebrating the women shaping the future of science and scholarly publishing
11 Feb 2026 by Faye Holst
IOP and IOPP celebrate Woman in Science
To mark the United Nations’ International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Institute of Physics and IOP Publishing celebrate women who are advancing scientific discovery and help to build a research culture where everyone can thrive.
This year, we are highlighting the voices of women whose work is pushing their fields forward. This includes members of our editorial boards, researchers and reviewers whose papers and expertise are shaping new thinking and colleagues across IOP and IOP Publishing who are championing inclusive scholarly communication.
While there is much to celebrate, the day also highlights the persistent barriers facing women in STEM. Research published in IOP Publishing’s journal JPhys Energy illustrates the challenge clearly. Although initiatives to improve representation have been underway for decades, women still make up only a small proportion of physicists, engineers and materials scientists, particularly in senior roles. That gap limits not only career progression but also the visibility of role models for future generations.
Improving representation in physics and scholarly publishing is a shared priority across the Institute of Physics and IOP Publishing. The Institute continues to lead sector‑wide efforts to remove barriers to participation and increase diversity at all levels, while IOP Publishing is working to build a more inclusive publishing ecosystem through bias‑reducing peer review practices, greater transparency and initiatives that broaden the voices represented in research.
Jane Smith, Inclusion and Wellbeing Partner at IOP Publishing says: “The stories we are sharing today remind us why representation matters. As a publisher, we are in a unique position to champion equity, give diverse voices a platform and make science accessible to everyone who wants to contribute to it. When women can see others forging paths in research, it helps open the door wider for the next generation.”
Pearl Mensah, IOP Director of Member & Inclusion says: “The IOP has been focused on improving gender equality for over 30 years through our members and leaders, our Women in Physics group and Project Juno. Today, we continue this work through our co-created Physics Inclusion Award, the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund and our Limit Less work. Improving participation among underrepresented groups in every aspect of physics is at the heart of what we do, and we celebrate today the brilliant female role models in our science and beyond who are inspiring both the current and next generation of physicists.”
Learn more about the inspiring women whose work continues to shape the future of science.