Winners announced for the 2012 Wellcome Trust Science Writing Prize
20 September 2012
The winners
- In category A (professional scientists of postgraduate level and above): Adam Kucharski, for his article 'In need of a number'.
- In category B (anyone else with a non-professional interest in science, including undergraduates): Cassie Barton, for her article 'The smell of music'.
- Catherine Hess was highly commended in category A for her piece, 'As easy as riding a bicycle?'
Over the coming months, Cassie's article will be published in the 'Guardian', Adam's article will be published in the 'Observer' and the entire shortlist will be published on the Wellcome Trust blog.
The announcement was made at an awards ceremony at Wellcome Collection yesterday evening. Two of the judges, comedian Robin Ince and science broadcaster Liz Bonnin, presented each of the winners with a trophy and a £1000 prize.
Another judge, Ian Tucker, editor of the Discover section in the 'Observer', said: "I was incredibly impressed by the calibre of what we read. People had chosen great stories - from space science, genetics, mathematics - and told them with a great deal of style. Communicating science can be a challenging prospect but these writers have shown great skill and many fresh ideas."
Mark Henderson, Head of Communications at the Wellcome Trust and one of this year's judges, said: "Science should be part of everyday conversation. The number of applicants, and the quality of the writing we received, proves there are many people who agree and have the passion to make it happen. I hope everyone on the shortlist, not just the winners, will continue communicating their ideas and inspiring others."
