Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture

Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture 2022 winner

The Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture 2022 is awarded to Professor Monica Grady CBE for  her significant contributions to the field of planetary science, and her dedication and enthusiasm for public engagement, particularly in raising the profile of STEM subjects for young women.

The award

The Royal Society 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).  

Nominations

Nominations for this award will open in November 2023.

Past winners

Professor Monica Grady CBE was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture in 2022 and will present her lecture 'Astronomy by Microscope' in 2023.

Professor Sophie Scott CBE FBA FMedSci was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture in 2021 and will present her lecture Funny, peculiar? The Science of Laughter in October 2022. 

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.