Applications are now open for the nominations for the 2019 John Maddox Prize. The John Maddox Prize recognizes the work of individuals who promote sound science and evidence on a matter of public interest. Further, facing difficulty or hostility in doing so. Sir John Maddox, whose name this prize commemorates, was a passionate and tireless champion. Also, defender of science, engaging with difficult debates and inspiring others to do the same. As a writer and editor, he changed attitudes and perceptions. Further, strove for better understanding and appreciation of science throughout his long working life. The John Maddox Prize awards evening will be hosted at Wellcome Collection, London in November. Also,   an announcement is published in Nature. The prize is a joint initiative of Sense about Science and the science journal Nature.

Judging Criteria:

The winner of the prize will be judged on the strength of their nomination on the below criteria:

• How clearly the individual advanced the discussion of good science, despite challenges.
• The nature of the challenge(s) faced by the individual.
• How well they placed the evidence in the wider debate and engaged others.
• Their level of influence on the public debate.

Moreover, the prize will be for specific achievements, and the decision will be final and not open to appeal. Sir John Maddox, whose name this prize commemorates, was a passionate and tireless champion and defender of science, engaging with difficult debates and inspiring others to do the same. As a writer and editor, he changed attitudes and perceptions and strove for better understanding and appreciation of science throughout his long working life.

Benefits

• Winners will receive £3000.
• An additional award is also to someone who in the opinion of the judges is at an early stage of their career.

Eligibilities

• This is a global prize: people from any country and in any field can be nominated.
• Nominations and supporting references must be submitted in English.
• Further, The John Maddox Prize for Standing up for Science is to an individual for any kind of public activity in any of the areas listed below: 1. Addressing misleading information about the scientific issue (including social science and medicine). 2. Also, bringing sound evidence to bear in a public or policy debate. 3. Helping people to make sense of a complex scientific issue.
•  If the nominator thinks the nominated individual is at an early stage in their career then he is to highlight this on the nomination form as they will be eligible for the additional prize.
• As a nominator, one should normally be an individual who is familiar with the work of the candidate. However, self-nomination will be in exceptional circumstances.
• Staff, trustees, and directors of the supporting organizations and previous winners and previous or current members of the judging panel and their direct relations are not eligible for nomination for the prize, though they may nominate. It is open to anyone else, including those commended or nominated in previous years and people who have published with or worked with either organization as contributors, advisers or in other collaborations.