The IgNobel Prizes: Sneaky ways to spark curiosity about science

In this talk, Marc Abrahams will share his experiences over 35 years as the brains behind the Ig Nobel Prizes and the annual ceremony. Alongside presenting hilarious highlights from recent years, he will talk about the challenges of science communication - and maintaining a sense of humor - against a background of political change. The Ig Nobel is evolving, with plans to move the annual ceremony to Europe. The talk is sponsored by the Science Communication Teacher Training program (SCOTT) and the Science Talent Unit.

About Marc Abrahams

Marc Abrahams writes about things that are surprising - so surprising that they make people LAUGH, then THINK. Marc founded the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony in 1991 and serves as master of ceremonies. The prizes - for achievements that make people LAUGH, then THINK - are handed out by genuine, bemused Nobel laureates in a gala event held every year in Boston. In 2026 the ceremony is moving to Europe. Marc co-founded and edits the magazine Annals of Improbable Research (AIR), and wrote This is Improbable, The Ig Nobel Prizes, and other books. He edits and writes much of the web site and blog www.improbable.com and the monthly newsletter mini-AIR, and has written weekly or monthly columns in various magazines and newspapers.

In person and via Zoom