British Science Association Award Lectures 2024, applications open, deadline 10 Dec

The British Science Association (BSA) has announced the opening of applications for their prestigious Award Lectureships. These lectureships have a rich history of rewarding promising early career scientists and science communicators.

Our very own Academic Champion for PER, Prof. Nick Hawes, delivered the Kelvin Award Lecture in 2013, saying “Winning the BSA Kelvin Award Lecture provided a great opportunity for me to present to a national audience in a high-profile setting. It allowed me to build my network for both science communication as well as expand my professional network more generally. The mentoring and support I received as part of the process gave a significant boost in the quality of my engagement activities. Winning the award has also given me a pretty unique biography for use for grant proposals and biographies and talks.”.

Early career researchers who are keen to engage with diverse, non-specialist audiences while exploring the societal aspects of their work are invited to apply.

The lectures are delivered at the British Science Festival (taking place in September 2024 in London) and the BSA team provide support for developing the event.

Additionally, there’s a strong media presence at the festival, meaning this is both an excellent development and recognition opportunity, that will build your profile.

The Award Lectures aim to:

• Promote open and informed discussions on scientific issues.
• Actively engage early career scientists with the public.
• Inspire young people aged 16 - 30 and underrepresented individuals in science.
• Highlight the interdisciplinary nature of science across seven categories.

Award Lecture applicants should:

• Be active early career researchers (see FAQs for details).
• Have a passion for communicating their research, especially to the target audience.
• Work at, or with, a UK-based University.
• Be available to present their Award Lecture at the British Science Festival in East London from Wednesday 11 – Sunday 15 September 2024.

Selected Award Lecturers will receive:

• £250 honorarium.
• Free public engagement training in London with travel expenses covered.
• Travel to and from the Festival, with up to two nights of accommodation.

You can discuss your ideas prior to submitting them - contact louise.cooke@britishscienceassociation.org.

You’ll find detailed information about selection criteria, application process, and more in the FAQs on the BSA website (link below).

The deadline for Award Lecture applications is 23.59 on 10 December 2023.

Click here for full details and to apply