New prize database provides an easy way to find science communication awards
A new searchable database of science communication prizes has been launched by the European Competence Centre for Science Communication.
The Prize Observatory, which can be found on the Competence Centre platform, brings together information about prizes and awards in one place, making it easy for anyone working in science communication and related fields such as science journalism to find prizes.
The repository is searchable, allowing platform visitors to quickly find prizes relevant to their work and geographical region. Prizes open to anyone from around the world are listed, as are those open to applicants across Europe and those open to people in one country.
“The prizes are searchable by areas of work and interest, such as citizen science, gender, equity and inclusion and exhibitions and museums,” says Aoife Taylor, a research project manager at Trinity College Dublin, who led the development of the observatory. “This will make it easy to find a prize relevant to the work you do.”
The observatory supports one of the main goals of the Competence Centre. “Advocating for and supporting reward and recognition for anyone communicating science is an important aspect of what we are doing. It can be difficult to find recognition for science communication activities, so being able to find prizes and awards easily is important to the field,” says Taylor.
“Many of the prizes are aimed at early career researchers and science communicators, including people who are transitioning into the field. But there are also prizes for those who are more established.”
Prize listings provide details of the name of the prize, a description of the relevant themes or topics, the types of applicants who are eligible, the geographic region where people can apply from, as well as a link to further details of the prize/where to apply.
Anyone can request for a prize to be featured in the observatory using the contact form on the Competence Centre platform. Prize organisers can also collaborate with the Competence Centre on a dedicated news feature for a prize, with additional visibility through its social media channels and newsletter. A fee applies to this enhanced communication opportunity, which aims to help prizes connect with a broader European audience of prospective applicants and science communication professionals.
