Opportunities for women in science: Henkel’s “Martha Schwarzkopf Award” and “Emerging Talent” prizes

For the second time, Henkel presents its research prize ”Martha Schwarzkopf Award for Women in Science”.

(IN BRIEF) Henkel will present its “Martha Schwarzkopf Award for Women in Science” research prize for the second time, with both a main prize and an additional prize for “Emerging Talents.” The award, dedicated to supporting female scientists, is open to female researchers worldwide who have a background in natural sciences, medicine, or computer sciences, and work in the field of hair research or related fields. The winners will receive 10,000 euros for the main prize and 5,000 euros for the “Emerging Talent” prize and will participate in a mentoring program with a leading Henkel scientist. The application period begins on February 11, 2023, and the winners will be selected by August 1, 2023.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 10-Feb-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Henkel (ETR: HEN3), a German chemical and consumer goods company, is proud to announce the second iteration of its “Martha Schwarzkopf Award for Women in Science” – a prize dedicated to supporting and promoting female scientists. This year, in addition to the main prize, a new category, “Emerging Talents”, has been added.

The application period begins on February 11, on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Female researchers with a background in natural sciences, medicine, or computer sciences can apply by showcasing their contributions to the field of hair research or related fields, with the chance to win 10,000 euros for the main prize or 5,000 euros for the “Emerging Talent” category.

“Progress in natural sciences thrives on diversity. However, women in science are still underrepresented. As we at Henkel are highly committed to gender equality, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by kicking off the application period for this year’s Martha Schwarzkopf Award for hair science” says Frank Meyer, Senior Vice President Global R&D at Henkel Consumer Brands. Astrid Kleen, Director of Global Hair R&D at Henkel Consumer Brands adds: “Understanding human hair is essential for our innovations. With the Martha Schwarzkopf Award we honor the achievements of outstanding female researchers in the area of hair and scalp health.”

The award pays homage to the legacy of Martha Schwarzkopf, one of the first women in Germany to lead a company and the founder of the Institute for Hair Research. Today, the Schwarzkopf brand is one of the leading names in Henkel’s consumer business and is the largest brand in the Consumer Brands hair care segment. All of the brand’s technical innovations build on the tradition of the Schwarzkopf Hair Research Institute, which operates research and development laboratories, hair test salons, and academies of hair around the world.

”We were surprised by the level of interest and quality of applications for the first Martha Schwarzkopf Award launched last year. Following the feedback from these applicants, we have decided to offer a prize for “Emerging Talents” in addition to the main prize this year. This way, we can make sure that we are supporting both experienced female scientists as well as promising researchers who are still at the start of their careers,” says Andrea Sättler, Director R&D at Henkel Consumer Brands and Chairwoman of the Martha Schwarzkopf Award expert jury.

Eligible female researchers worldwide who possess a doctorate and have experience in the fields of natural sciences, medicine, or computer sciences, and whose field of work is in hair research or related fields such as textile and wool fiber research, biological surface analysis, or the interaction of substances with hair or scalp, may apply for the main prize. Female researchers with a completed master’s degree in the same research fields may apply for the “Emerging Talent” category, even if they are just starting their scientific careers.

The winners will be selected by a jury of experts in Henkel Consumer Brands R&D and evaluated based on relevance of work, innovation potential, feasibility, and significance for the hair cosmetics sector, among other criteria. The award ceremony will take place in Hamburg, Germany, in November 2023, with the winners receiving a monetary prize and the opportunity to participate in a mentoring program with a leading Henkel scientist and join the network of previous award recipients. The winners will be announced by August 1, 2023.

Media contacts:

Kathrin Ernst
Henkel
Corporate Media Relations Headquarters
Düsseldorf/Germany
+49-211-797-8605
press@henkel.com

Ricarda Albaum
Henkel
Corporate Media Relations
Headquarters, Düsseldorf/Germany
+49-211-797-9982
press@henkel.com

SOURCE: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA