Applications Invited for Women in Science Award

News Release 27 September 2005

Applications Invited for the Zonta/Building Research Women in Science Award

The Zonta Club of Wellington and the Building Research Association of New Zealand Inc invite applications for the biennial 2006 ZONTA/BUILDING RESEARCH AWARD for women in science.

The Award, worth $75,000, provides financial assistance to women engaged in scientific research, giving weight to projects relating to the building and construction sector.

“The Zonta/Building Research Award was established in 2003 and is awarded biennially,” says Sharon Nelson-Kelly, Convenor of Zonta Science Awards.

“We are looking for an emerging woman scientist, who contributes to her community and the wider field of science. This award provides the means for further advancement to become a PhD graduate. The Building Research Association of New Zealand is providing the funding for the award and Zonta appreciates the opportunity to work in partnership with them in this venture.”

Building Research’s Levy Contract Manager Dr John Duncan says, “The aim of this Award is to encourage women to pursue a career in science. Preference will be given to areas of science and technology that would be applicable to the building industry, including areas such as energy and environment. It is designed to actively promote science as a career for young women, to encourage others already in the scientific field and provide positive acknowledgment of the valuable contribution of women scientists.

“Sponsorship is not new for us. We provide postgraduate scholarship assistance to others, as well as delivering research, education and information services to meet the needs of the building and construction sector,” Dr Duncan says

Applications close on 28 February 2006 and women interested in applying can either access an application form from the following websites: www.zonta.org.nz or www.buildingresearch.org.nz or contact Sharon Nelson-Kelly; see contact details below.

ENDS

BACKGROUND

Zonta International

Zonta is an international organisation of executive and professional women working together to advance the status of women. There are over 33,000 members in 1,249 clubs in 68 countries around the world.

Zonta International holds consultative status with United Nations’ agencies – UNICEF, UNESCO, ECOSOC - and has permanent observers at the UN in New York, Paris and Geneva. It undertakes international funding projects to which all clubs throughout the world contribute. For example the Amelia Earhart Scholarship is awarded annually to 15 postgraduate students to pursue work in the aerospace science.

Over one million dollars has been contributed to the United Nations Unifem Fund to aid the economic development of women in ten of the world’s poorest nations. In addition, the fund raising activities of local clubs support local organisations.

The Zonta Club of Wellington is one of 29 clubs in New Zealand. The original Zonta Science Award was initiated by the Wellington-based Club to fulfil one of Zonta’s main objectives, to improve the economic, legal and political status of women. See http://www.zonta.org.nz

Building Research

BUILDING RESEARCH is the building and construction sector’s leading research investment agency. Building Research invests in an extensive range of research, technology transfer and scholarship activities, with funds derived from the Building Research Levy, under the direction of a Board drawn widely from the building and construction industry. See www.buildingresearch.org.nz

Building Research should not be referred to as BRANZ, which is the trading name of the separate entity BRANZ Ltd (see www.branz.co.nz). BRANZ Ltd delivers research, testing, consultancy and educational services. While BRANZ Ltd has its own Board, it is owned by Building Research but draws only 40% of its income from investments by Building Research.

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