The European Federation for Science Journalism has revealed the winners of its prestigious European Science Journalist of the Year award for 2024. The announcements were made at an inspiring session, held at the World Science Forum, Budapest, on 20 November 2024.
The award recognises and promotes excellence and innovation in science journalism across Europe, with nominations coming from national science journalism associations as well as individuals. This year’s award has been sponsored by Elsevier.
The 2024 winner is:
First place: Stéphane Horel, France, an investigative journalist at Le Monde.
A message from Stéphane following the ceremony on 20 November:
The runners up are:
Second place: Tim Kalvelage, Germany, a freelance writer and photographer focussing on ocean and climate research, often accompanying scientists on expeditions, from the equator to the poles
Third place: Dora Kršul, Croatia – an investigative journalist with Telegram.hr news portal and reports on numerous discoveries of corruption and crime, especially in the field of higher education
The first-place winner was awarded a prize of 1,000 Euro. Second and third-place winners receive 500 Euro each.
The awards were announced following a session on the State of Science Journalism, where we heard how the award-winning journalists covered their stories against a changing landscape of declining public trust in science and a shrinking science journalism industry.
Krijn Soeteman, president of the EFSJ, says: “It has been a fantastic Awards ceremony today in Budapest. After hearing about the trials and tribulations our award-winning journalists faced putting their stories together, the prize giving seems even more significant. Celebrating science journalism across Europe is even more essential when we know it takes place against a backdrop of confusion, misinformation, and mistrust. European journalists must continue to question science and scientists, to cut through the noise and provide a translation of scientific information for the public that continues to be much needed.”
Esra Erkal, Executive Vice President – Global Communications, Elsevier, says “Elsevier is delighted to support the European Science Journalist of the Year Award, which highlights the vital role of science journalism in strengthening confidence in research. The winners demonstrate exceptional dedication to uncovering truths and making complex scientific issues accessible to everyone. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their outstanding work that not only informs but also inspires public engagement with science and evidence-based progress.”
Thank you to the judges and the national associations; the effort and time dedicated to this award from within the European science journalism community means we are, yet again, able to celebrate the excellent and innovative work produced throughout 2023.
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