Call for Nominations: Gabriella Chapman Award

6 September 2025
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Gabriella Chapman (née Greco, Commoner 1979) was among the first female undergraduates at Trinity, arriving in 1979 to read Metallurgy. One of relatively few women in physical sciences of her generation, she pursued her path with determination and family support.

After early work in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at MIT’s electron microscopy lab, Gabriella returned to Oxfordshire and later joined the University of Oxford’s Department of Materials. For over fifteen years she worked as a Research Support Scientist at the Begbroke Science Park and Parks Road laboratories, where she not only maintained complex equipment but also trained successive generations of students and contributed to ongoing research.

Gabriella is remembered for her unfailing cheerfulness, generosity, and commitment to science and community. A flowering cherry tree and a conference room at Begbroke have been dedicated in her memory, tributes that reflect the deep respect and affection she inspired.

The Gabriella Chapman Trust Award, launched by the Oxford Advanced Materials Network, honours her legacy by recognising Postdoctoral Research Associates at Oxford who combine outstanding academic excellence in materials science with a strong commitment to fostering women in the field. Carrying a £1,500 prize to support further initiatives, the award celebrates those who, like Gabriella, embody both scientific achievement and the spirit of mentorship, equity, and community-building.

Call for Nominations: Gabriella Chapman Award

The Oxford Advanced Materials Network is delighted to announce the launch of the Gabriella Chapman Award, which recognises outstanding academic excellence in material science and impactful contributions by Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRAs) who have actively fostered women in materials science.

This prestigious award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated impact related to exceptional scientific performance and commitment to advancing gender equity and supporting the professional development of women in the field. The award carries a prize of £1,500, intended to support further initiatives aligned with the award’s. 

 

Application details

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  • Nominees must be Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRAs) working in the field of materials science (in any Department) at the University of Oxford. (Research fellowship holders are not eligible.)
  • Nominees should have a demonstrable track record of activities that support, mentor, or promote the careers of women in materials science. The nominee’s work may include, but is not limited to: mentoring, outreach, advocacy, community building, policy development, or educational initiatives.

Each nomination must include the following:

  1. Nomination Statement (max. 500 words):
    A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions to fostering the careers of women in materials science. This should include specific examples of initiatives, impact, and sustained commitment.
  2. Proposal for Use of Award Funds (max. 1 A4 page):
    A concise plan outlining how the £1,500 award will be used to further support women in materials science. Activities could include scientific workshops, networking events, resource development, etc. Impactful activities (“thinking outside the box”) that go above and beyond typical diversity activities are particularly encouraged. Nominees are strongly encouraged to seek “matched funding” for wider reach of their activities.
  3. CV of the Nominee (max. 2 pages)
  4. List of Publications: The list of publications should highlight up to 3 research papers where the candidate took a leading role. A short narrative explaining the leadership for all 3 papers should be included.
  5. Statement of Career Disruptions (optional, max. 250 words): Nominees may include a brief statement outlining any career disruptions or contextual factors that may have impacted their academic trajectory. This may include, but is not limited to, parental leave, illness, caring responsibilities, or the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  6. Letter of Support:
    A brief letter from a colleague, mentee, or supervisor highlighting the nominee’s impact.

All nominations must be submitted by 20 September 2025 to oxamn@materials.ox.ac.uk

Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of experts in materials science and equity, diversity, and inclusion. The awardee will be announced at the 2nd OxAMN event to be held on 02 October 2025.

For further information, please contact nicole.grobert@materials.ox.ac.uk