Two scientists awarded 2018 John Maddox Prize for Standing up for Science
Two courageous scientists, former naturopath Britt Hermes and coral reef expert Terry Hughes, awarded the 2018 John Maddox Prize for Standing up for Science
London, 15 November 2018
Professor Terry Hughes, who exposed the extent of coral reef damage caused by rising water temperatures, and Britt Hermes, who publicised her research and subsequent rejection of her practice in natural therapies, have each been awarded the 2018 John Maddox Prize for their courage in promoting science and evidence on matters of public interest, despite smears, threats and attempted lawsuits.
Terry Hughes, director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and a world leading expert on the Great Barrier Reef, is recognised for his tireless and courageous efforts in communicating research evidence on coral reef bleaching to the public and for tackling the misrepresentation of coral reef science. In doing so, he has experienced hostility from politicians, public figures and the Australian tourist industry. In the face of efforts to discredit his research, personal criticism and smears in the media, Terry redoubled his efforts to communicate with the widest possible audience, using diverse means and reaching mainstream media around the world.
Britt Hermes, a former naturopath, has been awarded the inaugural John Maddox prize for an early career researcher in recognition of her advocacy and writing on evidence-based medicine - in particular her exposure of false claims made by proponents of naturopathy, which she has highlighted as both dangerous and ineffective. The judges were particularly impressed by her willingness to question her own views, the discomfort involved in communicating about the practices of former colleagues, and her continued commitment in the face of lawsuits and personal harassment. She is currently being sued for defamation by an American naturopath in a case due to be heard in a German court this year.
The John Maddox Prize, now in its seventh year, is a joint initiative of the charity Sense about Science and the leading international scientific journal Nature, and is awarded to one or two people a year. This year there were 136 nominations from 36 countries.
Comments
Britt Hermes: “I was a naturopath, until I looked at the evidence and decided to speak up about the dangerous therapies used in naturopathy, especially those to treat cancer. Walking away cost me my friends. I am harassed and being sued for defamation. I am honoured to be recognised by the scientific community for changing my mind.”
Professor Terry Hughes: “It is a privilege to receive this prize and to express my gratitude - not just for me, but more importantly for future generations, who have the most to lose if we fail to act on anthropogenic climate change.”
Judging notes
The judges noted the emergence of ‘toxic debates’ in new areas of research, such as the evidence for transgender medical interventions, and called for employers, government agencies, funders and professional bodies to do more to support researchers, to ensure the public continue to have access to all discussions about evidence.
They also drew attention to the importance of researchers making themselves personally available to communities struggling with challenging issues. In addition to the two prizes they also commend Tisha Schuller. A thoughtful environmentalist, Tisha left her comfortable environmental consulting job to take a high conflict job with the express aim to deescalate Colorado’s raging oil and gas controversy by helping the public understand the science and risks. She made herself available to her community despite threats against her family and attacks in the media.
Tracey Brown OBE, director, Sense about Science and judge: “The winners demonstrated great integrity in their commitment to public discussion about scientific research. They reflect the values of persistence and honesty that John exemplified. The judges were delighted to award these prizes. We are also worried. While the many strong nominations show that individuals have gone to extraordinary lengths to bring scientific research into difficult public discussions, our public spaces are not close to being supportive enough. It is profoundly against the public interest to have research driven from the public domain by fears of personal attack, legal action or institutional hostility. This prize gives strength to the elbow of those who push forward in difficult circumstances, but we need to see more action to stop it getting that far.”
Magdalena Skipper, editor-in-chief, Nature, and judge: “We received many excellent nominations this year and it was difficult to choose from such an inspiring group of candidates, all of whom are making great strides in their area. This year’s winners were chosen for their exceptional efforts in raising awareness of issues they are passionate about and for which they have faced criticism and adversity in striving for evidence-based policy and practices. The John Maddox prize recognises and rewards those who communicate scientific rigour and we are delighted to be awarding it this year to two notable and dedicated campaigners.”
Professor Sir Colin Blakemore FRS, professor of neuroscience & philosophy, School of Advanced Study, University of London and judge: "The growing numbers of nominations for the Maddox Prize, with so many examples of courageous defence of scientific evidence in the face of prejudice and vested interests, show how important this Prize has become. In an era of fake news and disregard for experts, the Maddox Prize is a beacon for the importance of honesty, evidence and open debate.
“Britt Hermes’ story is one of exceptional courage – not only to realise that naturopathy, to which she had devoted four years of training, was riddled with bogus practices, but then to criticise these practices in the face of abuse and legal actions. She is such a worthy winner of the first Maddox Prize for an Early Career Researcher.”
Lord (Martin) Rees of Ludlow OM FRS, University of Cambridge and judge: “It's excellent that we could identify two winners who had displayed real commitment in countering public misperception of a scientific issue.”
Natasha Loder, The Economist and judge: “Britt Hermes has fought hard for evidence-based medicine in the face of opposition, and ongoing legal challenges, from the naturopaths that she is trying to expose. All this from someone who is just starting out on a career in science is remarkable. Britt was an outstanding applicant and richly deserved winner of the John Maddox prize this year.
“There have been many outstanding scientists who have, over the years, fought to defend the science of climate change in the face of irrational, climate-change denialists. Terry Hughes stands out in particular for the tireless nature of his contribution by drawing attention to the impacts of coral reef bleaching in the face of hostility and pushback from politicians, denialists and even the tourist industry in Australia. Terry is a worthy recipient of the Maddox Prize.”
Other comments
Brenda Maddox, patron of the John Maddox Prize: “My late husband John had an unusual combination of knowledge of science and eloquence of expression. Someone once asked him, ‘how much of what you print is wrong?’ referring to Nature. John answered immediately, ‘all of it. That's what science is about – new knowledge constantly arriving to correct the old.’”
Simon Chaplin, Wellcome Trust: “Wellcome Collection is delighted to host this year’s John Maddox Prize ceremony. The Prize’s support for scientists who are willing to speak truth to power has never felt more timely. As a venue that seeks to challenge how we all think and feel about health we recognise the importance of honesty and courage when it comes to public debate.”
Notes to editors
1. The John Maddox Prize for Standing up for Science recognises the work of individuals anywhere in the world who promote sound science and evidence on a matter of public interest, facing difficulty or hostility in doing so. The winners currently receive £3,000. Previous winners were: Dr Riko Muranaka (2017), Professor Elizabeth Loftus (2016), Professor Edzard Ernst, Professor Susan Jebb (2015); Dr Emily Willingham, Dr David Robert Grimes (2014); Professor David Nutt (2013); Professor Sir Simon Wessely, Shi-min Fang (2012).
Candidates were judged on the strength of their nomination based on these criteria:
• How clearly the individual communicated good science, despite adversity.
• The nature of adversity faced by the individual.
• How well they placed the evidence in the wider debate and engaged others.
• Their level of influence on the public debate.
2. The judging panel were Professor Colin Blakemore FRS, Tracey Brown OBE (Sense about Science), Magdalena Skipper (Nature), Lord Rees of Ludlow OM FRS and Natasha Loder (the Economist). The judges sat in a personal capacity and the choice of the award does not indicate the view of any organisation they are associated with.
3. The 2018 John Maddox Prize received 136 nominations from 36 different countries. (In 2017 there were nominations for 95 individuals from 25 different countries. In 2016 there were 59 individual nominations from 17 countries; 50 in 2015.)
Sir John Maddox (1925-2009) was editor of Nature from 1966 to 1973, and from 1980 until 1995, and laid the foundations for Nature as it is today, establishing a system of peer review and instituting a strong tradition of journalism. He was a founding trustee of Sense about Science and inspired much of its work, including the now internationally established VoYS (Voice of Young Science) network.
This prize commemorates Sir John as a passionate and tireless communicator and defender of science. As a writer and editor at Nature for 22 years, he engaged with difficult debates and encouraged others to do the same. Sir John, in the words of his friend and former Nature news editor Walter Gratzer: “wrote prodigiously on all that was new and exciting in scientific discovery and technological advance, denouncing fearlessly what he believed to be wrong, dishonest or shoddy. He did it with humour and grace, but he never sidestepped controversy, which he seemed in fact to relish. His forthrightness brought him some enemies, often in high places, but many more friends. He changed attitudes and perceptions, and strove throughout his long working life for a better public understanding and appreciation of science.”
Sense about Science is an independent campaigning charity that challenges the misrepresentation of science and evidence in public life. We advocate openness and honesty about research findings, and work to ensure the public interest in sound science and evidence is recognised in public discussion and policymaking.
Nature (founded in 1869) is the leading, international weekly journal of science. Nature Research also publishes a range of Nature branded subscription journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, other open access journals including Scientific Reports, and a range of Nature Partner Journals published in partnership with institutions and societies. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries. Nature Research is part of Springer Nature.
