Erasmus University Rotterdam and FAME (Females in Academia Moving towards Equity) strive for equal representation of female talent. With the Athena Award, FAME aims to celebrate staff members and students with a demonstrable track-record on promoting gender equality, including awareness of gender inequalities within the academic environment, whether through their academic or professional roles and contributions.
The FAME Athena prize is presented by the Rector Magnificus during the Dies Natalis. The prize is an original painting by Sofja Wolsky and a certificate signed by the Rector Magnificus and a FAME committee member, recognizing their extraordinary contributions.
The following criteria are used to judge the initiative for the FAME Athena Award:
- Contributing substantially to promoting gender equality, including awareness of gender inequalities within the academic environment, whether through their academic or professional roles and contributions.
- Acting as ambassadors for practices that support gender equality. In doing so, they act as an example for their colleagues.
- Creating an inclusive culture where diverse talent is stimulated and valued.
All student and employee initiatives within EUR can be nominated for the FAME Athena Award. Nominations can be submitted from mid-July to Monday 21 September 2026. You can submit your nomination through the webform on MyEUR.
The Executive board and FAME committee members cannot be nominated for this award.
The panel will carefully assess all nominations and will decide on the winner of the award. The panel consists of the following members:
- The Rector Magnificus
- A FAME committee member
- A dean of EUR
- A student of Erasmus University Rotterdam
- One of the alumni of Erasmus University Rotterdam
- A professor or dean of Erasmus MC
Members of the panel are not allowed to discuss the decision making with third parties.
In case of a nomination of a panel member, the panel member will not partake in the panel and they will be replaced.
The Rector Magnificus will announce the winner of the Athena Award during the Dies Natalis of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The prize is an original painting by Sofja Wolsky and a certificate signed by the Rector Magnificus and a FAME committee member.
- Dr Siobhan Airey (Erasmus School of Law)
- Dr Birgul Aslan (Rotterdam School of Management)
- Lucille Brakefield (Erasmus School of Economics)
- Dr Gabi Helfert (Rotterdam School of Management)
- Dr Giulia Napolitano (Erasmus School of Philosophy)
- Prof Dr Irene van Staveren (International Institute of Social Studies)
- Dr Nanneke Winters (International Institute of Social Studies)
