Royal Society David Attenborough Award and Lecture

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Royal Society David Attenborough Award and Lecture
Weston Library Opening by John Cairns 20.3.15-139 David Attenborough.jpg
Awarded for"outstanding public engagement with science"
Presented bythe Royal Society
First award2020
Website Official website

The Royal Society David Attenborough Award and Lecture is awarded annually by the Royal Society for "for outstanding public engagement with science". [1]

The award is named in honour of David Attenborough, a prominent British broadcaster and naturalist, who is an honorary Fellow of the Royal Society. [1]

Recipients receive a silver medal and a prize of £2,500. [1]

The inaugural winner was Alice Roberts in 2020. [2]

Recipients

Recipients of the Royal Society David Attenborough Award and Lecture
YearNameImageCitationRef.
2020 Alice Roberts 12 01 2016 Alice headshot.jpg "For outstanding contributions to public engagement ranging across medicine, anatomy, biology, evolution and archaeology, through lectures, television, books, and other media, as well as her advocacy through her role as Professor of Public Engagement at the University of Birmingham and as the President of the British Science Association." [2]
2021 Adam Rutherford Adam Rutherford QED 02.jpg "For his contribution to strengthening public confidence in science through radio, TV, films, talks and books, and in particular, for challenging racist pseudoscience." [3]
2022 Jonathan Van-Tam S960 Professor Van-Tam (cropped).jpg "For his critical role in public engagement during the Covid-19 pandemic as UK Deputy Chief Medical Officer, through national and international media." [4]
2023 Richard Wiseman Richard Wiseman-Emcee-CSICON 2012-Nashville-Opening Remarks-OCT 26 2012.JPG "For his sustained and innovative public engagement with the psychology of magic and the nature of deception, and his exposure of pseudo-science through multiple routes including books, videos and festivals." [5]
2024 Hannah Fry Hannah Fry at the Data of Tomorrow Conference 2017 (36638999274) (cropped 3).jpg "For her prolific science communication activity as the foremost populariser of maths in the country who continues to inspire young people to pursue maths and physics in fun and exciting ways." [6]
2025 Roger Highfield Dr Roger Highfield.JPG "For a vast contribution to public engagement, reaching audiences of millions as a journalist, broadcaster, author, and through museum-led initiatives." [7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Royal Society David Attenborough Award and Lecture". Royal Society . Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Royal Society announces 2020 winners of prestigious medals and awards". Royal Society . 4 August 2020. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  3. "Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell awarded world's oldest scientific prize as Royal Society announces 2021 medal and award winners". Royal Society . 24 August 2021. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  4. "The Royal Society announces this year's medal and award winners". Royal Society . 23 August 2022. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  5. "The Royal Society announces this year's medal and award winners". Royal Society . 29 August 2023. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  6. "Nobel Prize-winning scientist wins Royal Society's most prestigious scientific award". Royal Society . 28 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  7. "Invisibility cloak pioneer Sir John Pendry awarded Royal Society's top prize". Royal Society . 27 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.