Royal Society Prizes for Science Books

The Royal Society Science Books Prize is an annual £25,000 prize celebrating outstanding popular science books from around the world.[1] It is open to authors of science books written for a non-specialist audience, and over the decades has championed writers such as Stephen Hawking, Jared Diamond, Stephen Jay Gould and Bill Bryson.

History

The Royal Society Science Books Prize was originally established as the "Science Books Prize" in 1988 with the aim of encouraging the writing, publishing and reading of good and accessible popular science books. From 1990-2000 it was known as the "Rhône-Poulenc Prize for Science Books", from 2001-2006 as the "Aventis Prize for Science Books", from 2007-2010 as the "Royal Society Prize for Science Books", and from 2010-2015 as the "Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books". In 2016, investment management company Insight Investment sponsored the prize in a three-year deal, and the prize became known as the "Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize".[2]

Judging Process

A panel of judges decides the shortlist and the winner of the Prize each year. The panel is chaired by a fellow of the Royal Society and includes authors, scientists and media personalities. The judges for the 2016 prize include author Bill Bryson, theoretical physicist Dr Clare Burrage, science fiction author Alastair Reynolds, ornithologist and science blogger GrrlScientist, and author and director of external affairs at the Science Museum Group, Roger Highfield.[2] All books entered for the prize must be published in English for the first time between September and October the preceding year. The winner is announced at an award ceremony in September and receives £25,000. Each of the other shortlisted authors receives £2,500 each.[1]

Shortlisted books

Each year's shortlist appears below. A blue ribbon (Blue ribbon) appears against the winner.

2016

The shortlist was announced on August 4, 2016,[3] and the winner on September 19, 2016.[4]

2015

The shortlist was announced on August 5, 2015,[5] and the winner on September 24, 2015.[6]

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

This was the first year that the prizes were given by the Royal Society.

2006

It was Jared Diamond's third nomination for the prize, having won twice previously. The 2006 prize was the last one to be sponsored by the Aventis Foundation.

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

Pre-2000 Winners

References

  1. 1 2 The Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize, Royal Society
  2. 1 2 "Science Book Prize gets new sponsor", "The Bookseller", London, 17 June 2016. Retrieved on 22 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "Shortlist for The Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize 2016 unveiled". royalsociety.org. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
  4. ↑ "The Royal Society announces the winner of the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize 2016". royalsociety.org. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
  5. ↑ "Winton Prize for Science Books shortlist revealed", "The Bookseller", London, 5 August 2015. Retrieved on 22 June 2016.
  6. ↑ "Top science book prize won by woman for first time", "The Guardian", London, 24 September 2015. Retrieved on 22 June 2016.
  7. ↑ "Materials book wins Royal Society Winton Prize", "BBC", London, 10 November 2014. Retrieved on 22 June 2016.
  8. ↑ "Royal Society Winton Prize goes to 'rock star' science book", "The Guardian", London, 26 November 2013. Retrieved on 22 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "Royal Society Winton prize for science goes to James Gleick", "The Guardian", London, 27 November 2012. Retrieved on 22 June 2016.
  10. ↑ "Expert in idleness is surprise winner of science book prize", "The Independent", 18 November 2011. Retrieved on 22 June 2016.
  11. ↑ "Royal Society's science book prize will be the last", "BBC", 21 October 2010. Retrieved on 22 June 2016.
  12. ↑ "Prize for wonder of science past", "BBC", 15 September 2009. Retrieved on 22 June 2016.
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