The science and emotional impact of medical conditions such as psychosis, multiple sclerosis and asthma will be explored in a new series of 30-minute films.

Funded through a £180 000 Engaging Science Society Award, five films will be produced by the Media Trust, showing how conditions affect people's bodies and lives in general. They will air on the Community Channel and be made available on the web and DVD.

Other Society Awards have been made to Clare Blackburn and colleagues at the University of Edinburgh, who will be producing a documentary on human embryonic stem cells, and Valerie McKelvey-Martin at the University of Ulster and colleagues who will be developing materials to support the teaching of socioscientific issues in schools in Northern Ireland.

Society Awards, of £30 000 and above, support important public engagement activities and research.