The Department of Science and Technology (DST) held its annual Women in Science Awards on 17 August 2017, where Prof Roula Inglesi-Lotz was named the Distinguished Young Woman Researcher in the Humanities and Social Sciences category.

The awards recognise the achievements of prominent women scientists and provide motivation for the increased participation of women scientists in research. The theme for this year’s awards was ‘Women's economic empowerment in the changing world of work’ (in line with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women priority theme for 2017).

Prof Inglesi-Lotz, an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Pretoria, is an NRF Y1- rated researcher whose research interests focus on energy and environmental economics, economic growth and development, and applications of time series and panel data econometrics.

Following the announcement of the prestigious honour, she remarked: 'I do not even know how to start thanking the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences for the support through the years and the inclusive environment that allows me to focus on my research. Even more, and although the focus was on women, my great gratitude goes to my husband, without whom I would not be able to do the things I want in my field and whose support helps me in being a mother for my boys.'

Among her many notable accomplishments, Prof Inglesi-Lotz is a fellow of the International Association of Energy Economics (IAEE), as well as the Economic Society of South Africa (ESSA). She is on the editorial panel of the Journal of Southern Africa (JESA), as well as a reviewer for several top international energy journals, such as Energy Policy, Energy Economics and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.

Reflecting on the significance of the awards, she said: 'In addition to my academic role models, as well as numerous examples of strong women in my life, I would like to thank my female students. They are the future of what we celebrated today. They fight every day to find themselves in their field. They share with me challenges that women face in their everyday life that I never thought of before. They discuss their fears on how in the future they will balance their careers with having families and worry that they might have to give up one of the two.'

She concludes: 'I am especially happy and grateful for this award, because all involved are committed to promote women empowerment and all appreciate the role of women in the future of our country's science, innovation, technology, and overall growth and development.'