Nature Awards John Maddox Prize: Standing Up For Science 2024

The John Maddox Prize recognises the work of individuals who promote sound science and evidence on a matter of public interest, facing difficulty or hostility in doing so. The prize is led by Nature Awards in partnership with the charity Sense about Science.

The John Maddox Prize (Standing Up For Science), is for individuals who stand up and speak out for science and for evidence-based policy, advancing public discussion around difficult topics despite challenges or hostility, successfully making change happen in public discourse, opinion or policy.

There are two categories:

Early-career and
Lifetime achievement.

Both of the categories celebrate researchers who courageously and skillfully advance the public discourse, successfully increasing public and government engagement with, and acceptance of, sound science and strong evidence. The prize shines a spotlight on the efforts of researchers all over the world who inspire and encourage others to do the same. The prize has a global focus and receives hundreds of nominations from dozens of countries.

Aim and Benefits

There are two categories: early-career and lifetime achievement. Each winner receives 5000 euros and their work will be featured on nature.com.

Requirements

The prize is open to any researcher* who has successfully spoken up for sound science and evidence in the public interest. Nomination must be submitted online, and address the following questions:

What science did the nominee communicate and on what issue?
How did the nominee engage others in the discussion?
What challenges, adversity or barriers did the nominee overcome in their communication efforts?
What impacts did the nominee’s efforts have?
Why was it important that the nominee’s voice was heard in this debate?

*Researcher - someone who generates or has generated new findings or results via scientific method, in a recognised academic, charitable, commercial or other research organisation. Within natural sciences, social sciences, technology, mathematics, engineering or medicine disciplines.

Interview date, Process and Venue

Nominations are assessed against the following criteria:

Quality of their research
Soundness of their scientific argument
How clearly the individual advanced the discussion of sound science and evidence
How well they placed the evidence in the wider debate and engaged with others,
Their level of influence on the public debate and what was at stake.
The nature of the challenge(s) faced by the individual and the benefit of providing them with a safe platform.
The impact of their efforts

Key dates: