The Award for Excellence in Communication of Science

Statutes for the Award for Excellence in Communication of Science

• The Research Council’s Award for Excellence in Communication of Science is intended to encourage and reward the communication of research results from a researcher’s field to the general public.  
• The communication measure must be of high quality in both form and content.  The award may be granted for all types of dissemination through all types of media, and for activities that have taken place over time or as a specific measure. Importance is attached to the candidate’s ability to carry out original, creative communication. 
• The award may also be given for communication in connection with ethical issues in research.  
• The award comprises a cash prize of NOK 500 000.  
• The winner is required to use the cash prize to further develop his/her own communication qualifications or to carry out further communication activities. 
• The award is normally given to one recipient but may also be shared by multiple participants who have collaborated on a joint communication activity.  
• The Research Council publicly announces the award process. Nominations must include a detailed explanation of why the candidate deserves the award. A person may not nominate him- or herself for the award.  

The nominations are reviewed by a jury comprised of members with communication expertise and insight into research. The jury is appointed by the Research Council Executive Board for a three-year period. Jury members may also nominate candidates if there is consensus that this is necessary.  

The Research Council Award for Excellence in Communication of Science is given to a researcher who has demonstrated outstanding ability and innovation in communicating the results of his or her research. The award may be granted for all types of dissemination through all types of media, and for activities that have taken place over time or as a specific measure. Importance is attached to the candidate’s ability to carry out original, creative communication measures.  

The Research Council may confer the award for communication in connection with ongoing or completed research activity. 

The jury members for the Award for Excellence in Communication of Science

• Hanne Karde, Head of Communications, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway 
• Henrik Svensen, Senior Researcher, University of Oslo 
• Marit Simonsen, Encyclopædia editor, Store norske leksikon 
• Astrid Marie Bjerkås, Communications Advisor, Norwegian Veterinary Institute 
• Knut Olav Åmås, Executive Director, Fritt Ord Foundation 
• Marit Møllhausen, Adviser, Research Council 
• The secretary for the jury is Thomas Evensen of the Research Council. 

Click here to see previous winners of the Award for Excellence in Communication of Science.