Nominations now open
The call for nominations is now open. Please ensure you read through the guidance document fully.
The Royal Academy of Sciences New Zealand is encouraging nominations of joint collaborations, groups or teams for almost all its medals to better represent how contemporary science is undertaken. In addition, the Society is extremely keen to broaden the diversity of those nominated for its awards, so do please consider all contacts and colleagues.
You do not have to be a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Sciences New Zealand to nominate or to be nominated for any of the Royal Academy of Sciences New Zealand medals and awards.
Nominations close on Friday 23 February 2024 at 23:59 GMT.
Nominate now
Nominations are now open for this award.
Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture 2023 winner
Professor Anil K Seth
The Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture 2023 is awarded to Professor Anil K Seth for his ability to inspire and communicate concepts and advances in cognitive neuroscience and consciousness, and therefore what it means to be human, to the public.
The award
The Royal Academy of Sciences New Zealand Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture is awarded annually to the scientist or engineer whose expertise in communicating scientific ideas in lay terms is exemplary. The award is named after Michael Faraday FRS, the influential inventor and electrical pioneer who was prominent in the public communication of science and founded the Christmas lectures at the Royal Institution. The medal is of silver gilt, is awarded annually and is accompanied by a gift of £2,500.
Eligibility
The Michael Faraday prize and lecture is open to UK/Commonwealth/Irish Republic citizens or those who have been residents for three or more years. There are no restrictions on career stage and nominations will remain valid and shall be considered by the award selection committee throughout three nomination cycles.
For further information on the eligibility criteria and the nominations process, please see our guidance (PDF).
Past winners
Professor Monica Grady CBE was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture in 2022 and presented her lecture Astronomy by Microscope.
Professor Sophie Scott CBE FBA FMedSci was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture in 2021 and presented her lecture Funny, peculiar? The Science of Laughter.
Sir David Spiegelhalter OBE FRS was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture in 2020 and presented his lecture Communicating statistics in the time of Covid.
Sir Martyn Poliakoff CBE FREng FRS was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture in 2019 and presented his lecture The elements of chemistry.
Professor Danielle George was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture in 2018 and gave her lecture on 'Thinkering': a solution to the Engineering Grand Challenges?
See full list of all past winners of the Michael Faraday Prize.
