Rutherford Plasma Physics Communication Prize
This prize is for excellence in the communication of plasma physics to non-experts. It recognises outreach work with the general public.
The prize is £500.
Nominations and self-nominations are welcome.
The winner is announced at the Plasma Physics Group’s annual conference.
Applications must show:
- discussion on the impact of the activity
- evidence of excellent communication skills
Anything that communicates plasma science can be considered – the more creative the better.
Applications should be based on a single activity rather than a range of activities. Previous applications have included:
- a website
- a talk or lecture
- writing an essay or an article for a magazine
- blogging or producing a podcast or video
The prize is open to all members of the plasma physics community. Applications are judged by distinguished scientists and communicators, these include:
- one plasma physicist
- one non-plasma physicist
- one non-physicist
This prize is sponsored by the Science and Technology Facilities Council Central Laser Facility.
How to apply
Nominations are currently closed. For more information, please email: [email protected].
Winners
2024
Professor Paul Cassak
Department of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University. For his work on designing and creating hands-on space plasma science kits for elementary schools and providing presentations about space plasma science in schools.
2023
Dr Luca Vialetto and Dr Aaron Ho
Kiel University and the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research. For the podcast CoffeeBreakDown on YouTube about plasma science and applications.
2022
Ella Fox-Widdows
University of Liverpool. For the Fusion Focused podcast that aims to highlight the diverse range of careers surrounding plasma science by interviewing inspiring experts in the plasma physics and/or fusion energy community.
The podcast can be found on a variety of podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
2021
Cara Hawkins and Dr Laura Corner
University of Liverpool. For an episode of The Liverpool Scientific (S1, E7: Accelerator Science with Laura Corner). The podcasts can be found on Spotify.
2020
Was not awarded this year due to no entries being received.
2019
The A Glass of Seawater team
University of York. For its series of podcasts on plasma physics and nuclear fusion.
2018
Dr Jena Meinecke
University of Oxford. For her role as lead organiser for the 2017 Royal Society Summer Exhibition stand, How to Make a Supernova featuring plasma research conducted on large laser facilities (focused on AWE's Orion laser) to recreate astrophysical environments in the lab.
2017
Dr Melanie Windridge
Business Development Manager for Tokamak Energy. For her popular science book, Aurora: In Search of the Northern Lights, published by William Collins in 2016.
2016
Kate Lancaster
University of York. For her Friday evening Discourse lecture at the Royal Institution.
2013
Rachel McAdams, Ben Moody, Lee Morgan, Mohammed Shahzad and Tom Williams
University of York. For their short film aimed at children aged 9-11, which explains why scientists are trying to build a 'mini-sun' on earth.