Mary Fran Myers Gender and Disaster Award 2011 - call for nominations

The Gender and Disaster Network and the Natural Hazards Center invite nominations of women and men who should be recognized for their efforts to advance gender-sensitive policy, practice, or research in the areas of disaster risk reduction. Established in 2002, the Mary Fran Myers Award recognizes that vulnerability to disasters and mass emergencies is influenced by social, cultural, and economic structures that marginalize women and girls, and may also expose boys and men to harm.

The award was so named to recognize Myers’ sustained efforts as Co-Director of the Natural Hazards Center to launch a worldwide network promoting women’s opportunities in disaster-related professions and supporting research on gender issues, disasters, emergency management, and higher education.

The intent of the Mary Fran Myers Gender and Disaster Award is to recognize women and men whose advocacy, research, or management efforts have had a lasting, positive impact on reducing disaster vulnerability. All those whose work has added to the body of knowledge on gender and disasters, is significant for gender-theory or practice, or has furthered opportunities for women to succeed in the field are eligible.

The Selection Committee is especially interested in soliciting nominations from outside the United States and nominations of both men and women. We also invite re-nominations in recognition of the excellence of past nominees who have not yet been recognized. The award carries no travel funds or other material compensation but recipients are honored “virtually” at the annual July Natural Hazards Workshop of the University of Colorado, and featured in the annual GDN poster. Please note that the individual selected will be invited to serve on the Mary Fran Myers Gender & Disaster Award Selection Committee for one year and then encouraged to serve as Chair the second year.

There are three steps to making a nomination. The Nomination Committee prefers to receive nominations in English but is also able at this time to accept those prepared in Spanish or French due to the generosity of GDN volunteer translators.

1. Submit your full name and contact information (mailing address, e-mail, telephone, fax) and that of the nominee

2. Attach a short (3 pg, single spaced maximum) current resume or curriculum vitae of the nominee

3. Write a letter of nomination detailing specifically how this individual’s work fits the award criteria as described above

Optional: A one one-page letter of support from another person or organization may also be submitted

Note: If you would like past nominee to be reconsidered, please let us know by email and submit any updated nomination materials you would like the Selection Committee to consider.

BY APRIL 18, please electronically submit these materials to Kristinne Sanz of the Gender and Disaster Network: at: [email protected]. Complete nominations will then be forwarded to Chaman Pincha, Chair of the 2011 Selection Committee who will facilitate the review process and make the announcement.

Our thanks in advance for passing this notice along so that we may recognize people in varied sectors, regions, networks, and contexts whose work on gender equality and disaster risk reduction should be recognized.

Questions? Please contact Elaine Enarson [[email protected]] or Kristinne Sanz [[email protected]].