Writers awarded the 2014 John Maddox Prize for defending science

The third annual John Maddox Prize was jointly awarded to freelance journalist Dr. Emily Willingham and early career scientist Dr. David Robert Grimes in recognition of their contribution to promoting science and evidence on matters of public interest despite facing difficulty and hostility.

The John Maddox Prize is a joint initiative of the science journal Nature, the Kohn Foundation, and the charity Sense About Science. It is awarded in the memory of John Maddox who was a passionate and tireless champion and defender of science, engaging with difficult debates and inspiring others to do the same. The award recognizes individuals who address misleading information about scientific or medical issues, bringing sound evidence to bear in a public or policy debate, or help people to make sense of a complex scientific issue through any public activity.

The awardees of the year 2014 were honored for displaying their commitment towards society by taking a tough stance. Dr. Willingham, a US writer, penned the article “Blame Wakefield for missed autism-gut connection,” in which she purported a link between vaccines and autism. She drew wide criticism due to this and is facing a lawsuit from Andrew Wakefield, the researcher she discredited and whose paper was retracted from Lancet. According to the press release, she has also brought discussion about evidence, from school shootings to home birth, to large audiences through her writing. Co-winner, Dr. Grimes, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford in the UK, was recognized for writing fearlessly on challenging and controversial issues, including nuclear power and climate change. He persevered despite hostility and threats, such as on his writing about the evidence in the debate on abortion in Ireland.

Dr. Willingham and Dr. Grimes were awarded the John Maddox Prize for trying to protect the public interest and showing immense strength by voicing their opinions on divisive yet vital issues. Congratulations to both the winners!