Biology Professor celebrated at the Water Woman Awards 2025
The renowned academic was honoured for her “tenacity, inclusive collaborative spirit and scientific rigour” in research.
Dr. Maria Beger, Professor of Conservation Science in the School of Biology, has received the Water Woman Award for Research Funding from water@leeds.
The award recognises an individual who has been consistently successful at securing competitive grants and driving research impact.
Professor Beger was nominated thanks to her international efforts to help protect corals and communities in the Philippines and Indonesia as part of ClimateREEFS.
The project, which is aimed at developing evidence-based adaptation strategies of coral reefs, was developed in response to a prediction from the World Bank that 68-135million people could be pushed into poverty by 2023 because of climate change.
Commenting on the award Professor Beger said:
“The excitement of research funding stands on the plentiful rubble of rejected grants, and I am no exception.
“Yet, getting funding tasking me with exciting work that starts with interdisciplinary research and leads to real-world impact directly has been a wonderful journey of collaborations, discussions across time zones, fun, mini-disasters and learning from my team, as we work together to understand and adapt to global change.
“I am very grateful for the recognition of this work by a Water Woman award, and thank my team members all over the world who inspire me -and keep me in check!”
Fostering equity and inclusion in research
Professor Beger was nominated by Dr Fiona Chong, Research Fellow and Co-ordinator of the ClimateREEFS project in the School of Biology, for her partnership driven approach. She said:
“Maria’s effort is particularly impressive because of how inclusive she is of all local collaborators and co-investigators. In the era of decolonising research, I think it’s of utmost importance that research funds, emergent skills and findings benefit and go to the people, organisations and countries we work in. The upskilling and knowledge exchange ensures the capacities are strengthened and that empathies are developed for all involved.”
Despite a competitive category, the panel was particularly impressed by Professor Beger’s persistence and clear dedication to supporting not only her students but her wider team, many of whom are working in the field across South East Asia.
They described her a “a clear example of how to be a mentor and how to work collaboratively in a decolonial manner.”
About the Water Woman Award Awards
The Water Woman Awards aims to recognize the achievements of women in research, and their power to inspire others.
Now in its fourth iteration, the award celebrates those who contribute to the objectives of water@leeds in securing competitive research funds, producing world-class research or achieving significant societal impact.
The award is based on two equally weighted criteria: the nature of the achievement plus its potential for empowering and inspiring other women into following their example.
Outstanding nominations were received across all categories, which this year includes a new Alumna Award.
