Science Journalist of the Year: Nominees

Scroll down to meet the nominees for Science Journalist of the Year, sponsored by Springer Nature

For journalists who specialise in science journalism. The judges will look for journalists who led their field in 2020 – breaking news and/or analysing trends and throwing light on their subject for a wider audience.

THE SHORTLIST

Clive Cookson, Financial Times

• From blood clots to ‘Covid toe’: the medical mysteries of coronavirus 
• Mutations map holds the key to bringing coronavirus under control
• Scientists warn of new coronavirus variant spreading across Europe 

The judges said: “Remarkable clarity in Clive’s writing pulls together the international sweep of the pandemic and the scientific response into crisp and informative journalism. A fantastic look at the medical symptoms of Covid which had confounded doctors.”

Ian Sample, The Guardian

• The great project: how Covid changed science for ever
• Trials to begin on Covid-19 vaccine in UK next month
• Secrecy has harmed UK government’s response to Covid-19 crisis, says top scientist

The judges said: “Ian’s extensive contacts within the UK science establishment give him the inside track on many of the often fractious conversations going on inside the scientific and political community. A terrific scoop on the early Oxford vaccine success.”

Robin McKie, The Observer

• The little we know about coronavirus (February 2020)
• “I can see my feet, I’ve lost a few chins. Fear of coronavirus made me shape up,”
• The Vaccine Miracle

The judges said: “McKie’s early, insightful chronicling of the early days of the pandemic show a grasp of the wider implications of the then novel Coronavirus. His personal essay displays a humility and honesty that is often lacking among the ‘experts’, and clearly inspired his readers.”

Stephanie Baker, Bloomberg

• Sarah Gilbert interview: Covid Vaccine Front-Runner Is Months Ahead of Her Competition
• After Four Antibody Tests, I’m Still Not Sure I’ve Had Covid-19
• Inside Operation Warp Speed’s $18 Billion Sprint for a Vaccine

The judges said: “Baker’s business-flavoured approach to science journalism gives a rare perspective on the economics of vaccine development and government policy. Inside Operation Warp Speed is a brilliant, stand-out piece.”

Tom Chivers, UnHerd

• We should be very wary of the R value
• Did anyone predict coronavirus?
• How likely are you to die of coronavirus?

The judges said: “Fascinating pieces that rigorously examine the statistics – notoriously tricky and difficult to understand – but conveyed in clear, conversational writing that belies the skill and research behind it. Empowers more of the public to evaluate the headlines about the pandemic.”

Tom Whipple, The Times

• Safe to send children back? What science can and cannot tell us
• Riddle of the carriers who infect hundreds
• Everything we’ve learnt about the invisible killer

The judges said: “Whipple’s work is absolutely what is needed during a pandemic. He translates science and lack of expert certainty into the everyday decisions we need to make to continue with our lives while trying to protect our families and communities.”