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Nuclear physicist wins Royal Society prize for science communication

30 May 2007

Professor Jim Al-Khalili has been awarded the Royal Society's prestigious Michael Faraday Prize for his outstanding achievements in science communication.

Professor Al-Khalili, a leading expert in nuclear physics at the University of Surrey, has made key contributions to the science of nuclear reaction theory - he is currently working on a new mathematical model of radioactive decay. However, he manages to juggle his successful academic research with a second career in communicating science an issue he feels passionately about to engage the physicists of tomorrow.

On his commitment to promoting science, Professor Al-Khalili said: "Communicating physics to a wider audience is more vital today than it has ever been.  Physics really is at the heart of issues such as climate change, energy generation and nanotechnology; and there is a need to engage with the public on these matters. From the inner secrets of the atom to the make-up of the cosmos, the public are naturally fascinated about where we come from and how our universe works. We need to keep feeding this thirst for knowledge."

Professor Martin Taylor, vice president of the Royal Society, said:

"This award is a fitting recognition of Jim's passion and talent for bringing science to a wider audience. Remarkably he does this while maintaining a successful research career in theoretical nuclear physics.

"Inspirational scientists, such as Jim, are essential for enthusing the next generation of physicists. His regular appearances on TV and Radio, covering subjects from time travel to quantum mechanics, demonstrate Jim's exceptional talent in breaking down the complexities of science and sharing the wonder and excitement of physics."

On wining the prize, Professor Al Khalili said: "I am absolutely thrilled with this award. This is the Nobel Prize of science communication and to be named alongside such figures as David Attenborough, Harry Kroto, Richard Dawkins, Robert Winston, Martin Rees and so many other heroes of mine is a great honour."

Lord Winston, a judge of this year's award, and previous winner of the Michael Faraday Prize, said: "Jim Al Khalili communicates the complexity of the physical sciences to people of all ages in a way that makes understanding extraordinarily easy.  He is a brilliant and delightful lecturer who is heard with rapt attention by schoolchildren as well as adults. His rising prominence in the popular media means he is now a leading ambassador for science. Professor Jim Al Khalili is a truly worthy winner of this year's prize."

The Michael Faraday Prize recognises outstanding achievement in the communication of science, engineering or technology. Professor Al-Khalili will receive a prize of £2,500 and deliver a lecture on a subject of his choice at the Society early in 2008.