Deadline: 21 February 2025
Nominations are now open for the Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal and Lecture Prize to award individuals for excellence in a subject relating to the history of science, philosophy of science or the social function of science.
The Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar (WBM) Prize Lecture is given annually by a practicing historian, philosopher or scientist.
Prize Information
- The medal is of bronze, is awarded annually and is accompanied by a gift of £2,000.
Eligibility Criteria
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- The Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar medal 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.
Nomination Criteria
- The prize is awarded annually, unless in the judgment of the Library Committee and/or Public Engagement Committee, no suitable candidate has been nominated:
- The nominations are to be reviewed by the Library Committee, who will make their recommendation to the Public Engagement Committee for approval, before it is passed to the Awards Committee.
- Recipients must be regarded by their peers as reputable historians or philosophers (or scientist or engineer who has contributed significantly to the history/philosophy of science) but are not required to be Fellows of the Royal Society. The prize is not open to those who are members of the Council of the Royal Society at the time the award is decided, nor to members of the Library or Public Engagement Committees at such time the recommendation is made to the Council.
- The nomination of a candidate is made by a nominator (which may be an individual or an institution; also not required to be a Fellow) digitally on Flexi-Grant and should include the names and contact details of two referees who can speak to the excellence of the candidate. Nominators should make nominees aware of their nomination. Self-nomination is not acceptable.
- A nomination remains valid for three years; under exceptional circumstances the Committee may decide that a nomination can remain valid for a fourth year. An unsuccessful candidate may be re-nominated after a gap of one year. Previous winners may not be nominated again.
- The specific topic presented and the research area of the nominee can be historical, philosophical and/or the social impact of any science or technical discipline within the remit of the Royal Society i.e. the natural sciences, including mathematics, engineering science, agriculture and medical research, the scientific aspects of archaeology, geography, and experimental psychology.
- Teams are not normally considered except where each member has made an individual and clearly identifiable contribution.
- The award is open to citizens of the British Isles or a Commonwealth country, or those who have been ordinarily resident and working in the British Isles or a Commonwealth country for a minimum of three years immediately prior to being nominated.
For more information, visit The Royal Society.
