1. Introduction and Background
The Medical Women’s Federation (MWF) has a proud legacy spanning over a century, and stands as the largest and most influential organisation representing women doctors in the United Kingdom. Despite the significant progress made in gender equality across the medical profession, where women now constitute the majority of doctors on the General Medical Council (GMC) register with a licence to practice, there remain persistent disparities at the highest levels of leadership and recognition within the field.
In alignment with MWF’s strategic objectives, MWF has introduced a Fellowship scheme to formally recognise and celebrate members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the mission and values of the MWF.
2. Purpose of the Fellowship Programme
The primary aims of the Fellowship programme are to:
- Honour sustained and impactful contributions to the MWF and its strategic goals.
- Promote leadership and advocacy among women in medicine.
- Strengthen the visibility and influence of the MWF through a network of distinguished ambassadors.
- Encourage peer recognition and support within the medical community.
3. Benefits of being a Fellow
- Fellows will be entitled to use the MWF post-nominals FMWF
- Leadership experience and the opportunity to represent MWF at a national level
- Networking opportunities
- A certificate of Fellowship
4. Criteria for Fellowship
Fellows must be a medical woman currently or formerly registered as a doctor with the GMC or equivalent regulatory body and in good standing. Medical women who are retired from practice and no longer registered with the GMC because of retirement are also eligible to apply for Fellowship.
Candidates for Fellowship must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Sustained Contribution: Demonstrated impact on the implementation of MWF’s strategic objectives through active involvement in the organisation’s initiatives, or in other initiatives with similar objectives.
- Support for Women in Medicine: Evident commitment to mentoring, supporting, or advocating for women in the medical profession.
- Professional Standing: A record of good standing within the medical profession, with no outstanding disciplinary issues.
5. Nomination, Application and Selection Processes
A dedicated Fellowship and Nominations working group oversees the nomination and selection process.
Candidates may self-nominate, or they may be nominated by any MWF member or Fellow.
- To nominate a candidate, please complete the online nomination form here. The nominee will then be contacted by MWF and invited to make a full application by completing the online application form on the MWF website.
- To self-nominate, please complete the online application form here. The form is used to assess how you meet the criteria for Fellowship outlined above.
- In both cases, nominations must be accompanied by a reference from a Supporter (referee) who is familiar with the candidate’s work in a professional capacity. Where a candidate has been nominated, the Supporter may either be the nominator or another professional colleague. The Supporter must complete the online Supporter form here.
- Applications cannot be processed until the applicant has also paid the online application fee using the link here.
All applications will be reviewed by two assessors, who will evaluate candidates against the published criteria, ensuring alignment with MWF’s strategic objectives. The two assessors will make a recommendation to the MWF Fellowships & Nominations working group, who will decide whether the application should be approved.
6. Responsibilities of Fellows
Upon election, Fellows will be expected to:
- Serve as ambassadors for the MWF within their professional and academic networks.
- Actively support the Federation’s mission through support, advocacy, and participation in MWF events and initiatives.
7. Fellowship Fees
The Fellowship fee will consist of a £50 annual supplement, added to the standard MWF membership fee of the appropriate category for the Fellow.
In addition there will be a one-off application fee of £30, to reflect administrative costs. MWF regrets that the application fee will not be refundable in the event of an unsuccessful application.
8. Annual New Fellows Event
There is an annual New Fellows event to which all new and existing Fellows are invited. Details of this event will be shared at the time of successful application to Fellowship.
Quick Links
Click here to to nominate a candidate for MWF Fellowship
Click here to self-nominate yourself for MWF Fellowship
