Women in Soft Matter 2026

This collection launches Women in Soft Matter - a dedicated space for research led by women scientists working across the full breadth of the field. Globally, around one in three researchers is a woman, with long-standing structural barriers continuing to limit gender equity in STEM - particularly in physics, chemistry, and materials science. At Frontiers in Soft Matter, we believe that achieving gender equality is both a matter of fairness and a driver of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence.Aligned with the mission of UNESCO and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), this collection seeks to spotlight cutting-edge research led by women scientists working across the broad landscape of soft matter. From fundamental theory to experimental breakthroughs and applied materials, the works featured here reflect the depth, diversity, and global impact of female-led research in this field.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:- Active matter and biological soft matter- Biopolymers, gels, and hydrogels- Colloidal suspensions and emulsions- Complex fluids and rheology- Foams and granular matter- Food and soft materials- Liquid crystals- Polymer physics and dynamics- Self-assembly and self-organisationEligibility: To be considered for this collection, the first or last author of the submitted manuscript must identify as a woman. Topic editors: Clémence Le Coeur, Aikaterini Andreopoulou Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85459/women-in-soft-matter-2026