The British Science Association (BSA) has announced the winners of its prestigious Award Lectures for 2017. Seven top UK researchers have been recognised for their cutting-edge research after a competitive selection process.

They will join an illustrious group of Award Lecture recipients that includes Professor Brian Cox (winner in 2006), Maggie Aderin-Pocock (winner in 2008), and Richard Wiseman (winner in 2002).

The winners and their respective Awards are as follows:

The Daphne Oram Award Lecture for Digital Innovation was awarded to Miss Joanne Armitage (University of Leeds)

The Charles Darwin Award Lecture for Agricultural, Biological and Medical Sciences was awarded to Mr Pankaj Chandak (Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital and Kings College London)

The Rosalind Franklin Award Lecture for Physical Sciences and Mathematics was awarded to Dr Imogen Riddell (University of Manchester)

The Charles Lyell Award Lecture for Environmental Sciences was awarded to Dr Rebecca Williams (University of Hull)

The Isambard Kingdom Brunel Award Lecture for Engineering, Technology and Industry was awarded to Dr Richard Middlemiss (University of Glasgow)

The Margaret Mead Award Lecture for Social Sciences was awarded to Dr Harriet Over (University of York)

The Jacob Bronowski Award Lecture for Science and the Arts was awarded to Dr Emily Cross (Bangor University)

Ivvet Modinou (Director of British Science Festival) takes a selfie with all the winners at the Festival programme launch party.

Each of the Award Lecture winners will be celebrated at the British Science Festival in Brighton, where they will give a special talk about their innovative research:

· Joanne Armitage will discuss her interdisciplinary research into sound, electronics and perception, considering the ways in which the body interacts with and mediates sound

· Pankaj Chandak will present his work into advancing organ transplantation with 3D printing and robots

· Imogen Riddell will talk about the diversity of supramolecules, from improving cancer drugs to cleaning clothes

· Rebecca Williams will explore volcanoes and pyroclastic density currents that swoop down the sides of a volcano during the most violent eruptions

· Richard Middlemiss will discuss his extra sensitive, super small gravity sensor, of which he was the co-developer

· Harriet Over will discuss her research on the origins of prejudice and discrimination in childhood

· Emily Cross is a dancer and neuroscientist, so will be delving into how dance can be used to explore the neuroscience of learning and aesthetics

Ivvet Modinou, Head of Engagement at the BSA, said: “This year’s Award Lecture winners are highly worthy recipients due to their ground-breaking research and exceptional ability to communicate their work to wider audiences. The selection process was extremely difficult due to the high number of talented applicants we received. I’m thrilled with our winners and look forward to seeing them speak at the Festival and working with them in years to come”.

The Award Lectures have been presented at the British Science Festival since 1990, with the aim of promoting front line research being carried out in the UK by early-career scientists, and recognising their excellent communication skills.

The Festival will take place later from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 September, co-hosted by the Universities of Brighton and Sussex, with over 120 events on campus and throughout the city. It provides an opportunity to meet researchers face-to-face and discuss cutting-edge research, innovation and ideas in science, technology and engineering.

All events are free, but booking is required, as spaces are limited. Booking is now open at: www.britishsciencefestival.org