It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the death of TWAS Fellow Prof. Roseanne Diab.
Prof. Diab, was a distinguished South African researcher and global science leader whose career left an enduring impact on atmospheric science, science policy, and global efforts to advance gender equity in science, innovation, technology and engineering. She served as director of Gender in Science, Innovation, Technology and Engineering (GenderInSITE), an initiative hosted by TWAS’s partner OWSD, and previously as chief executive officer of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).
An internationally respected atmospheric scientist, Prof. Diab made significant scholarly contributions to the fields of air quality, climate change, atmospheric dispersion modelling, and tropospheric ozone research. Her academic career at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she later held emeritus professor status, was marked by scientific rigour, intellectual curiosity, and a deep commitment to postgraduate training and mentorship.
Beyond her scientific achievements, Prof. Diab was an active Fellow of TWAS and the ASSAf. As a member of the TWAS Gender Advisory Committee, she contributed to an insightful and granular analysis of the root cause of gender divides by scientific discipline to unravel systemic gender gaps that was exemplary of her commitment and attention to detail in whatever she undertook. Her thoughtful analyses and dedication to equality in science were invaluable. Her proposal to accelerate progress to closing the gender gap in TWAS through dedicated years of female only Fellows was adopted at the recent TWAS General Conference in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Unfortunately, her failing health precluded her participation in Rio. Notwithstanding, she was delighted to learn about the TWAS strategy which is expected to achieve gender parity in membership elections by 2032 through a balanced yet ambitious approach. In particular, the plan to dedicate every third fellowship election cycle exclusively to women represents a significant intervention, one that will substantially accelerate progress and dramatically shift the trajectory toward gender balance.
My interactions with her during her tenure as executive officer of the Academy of Science of South Africa, exposed me to the pivotal role she played in strengthening the Academy’s voice in science advice and evidence-informed policymaking. Her leadership as vice-president helped consolidate ASSAf’s national relevance and international standing, and was characterised by integrity, inclusivity, and a firm belief in science as a public good.
In her role as director of GenderInSITE, Prof. Diab became a globally recognised advocate for gender equality in science systems. She led initiatives that addressed the structural and systemic barriers faced by women and girls in STEM, fostered international collaboration, and ensured that gender responsiveness was embedded within science and innovation agendas worldwide.
Prof. Roseanne Diab’s legacy lives on not only through the institutions she strengthened and the policies she helped shape, but through the people whose lives and careers she touched. She is remembered for her quiet strength, her generosity of spirit, and her unwavering belief in the power of science to serve humanity. Roseanne was an incredible person and a passionate advocate for gender equity in science, particularly within science academies. Her contributions have made a lasting impact, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. To her colleagues, she was a trusted leader and a principled voice. To students and early-career scientists, she was a steadfast mentor who offered encouragement, opportunities, and guidance with humility and care. Her commitment to equity, excellence, and integrity continues to inspire those who carry her work forward. She will be deeply missed and enduringly honoured for the paths she opened and the values she lived by.
Prof. Diab will be remembered not only for her intellectual contributions but also for her kindness, humility, warmth, joy for life and always doing the right thing. Her legacy lives on in the students she mentored, the collaborations she established, and the scientific community she so deeply enriched. Her presence will be sorely missed, but she will remain a guiding light for generations to come.
Our deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
Quarraisha Abdool Karim,
TWAS President