Each year, supporters of the British Science Association (BSA) are invited to nominate individuals to be considered as Honorary Fellows.

These are people who embody the BSA’s vision and mission in a variety of ways, including bringing science to the public in a clear and engaging way; challenging the stereotypes of what a scientist looks like; and furthering the inclusion and diversity of science in society.

Last year, the BSA’s Council (our Board of Trustees) decided to focus this accolade on people playing a leading role in the COVID-19 pandemic. We were delighted to welcome:

• Professor Faith Osier, Professor of Malaria Immunology at Oxford University;
• Mona Chalabi, data journalist and writer;
• Professor Devi Sridhar, Professor & Chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh and author; and
• Dr Xand van Tulleken, medical doctor, TV presenter and broadcaster as Honorary Fellows of the Association.

We have decided to once again take a thematic approach to selecting our Honorary Fellows for 2021. This year, several of our programmes have covered issues in relation to the climate crisis, net zero and sustainability; including:

For Thought

One of our three ‘chapters’ of work as part of our thought leadership programme this year was dedicated to environmental prosperity.

• The For Thought report, ‘Build better’, called for a long-term leadership coalition (a net zero delivery board, modelled on the Olympic delivery board) to deliver the UK’s ambitions for tackling the climate emergency.
• We also recently held a For Thought debate during the British Science Festival, at which the panel were tasked with exploring the idea of a ‘just transition’.

The British Science Festival

This year’s Festival, held in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, had a central ambition to be the most sustainable British Science Festival in the 190-year history of the event. In addition to a sustainability policy that covered myriad aspects of the Festival, from food and drink to waste, transport and social sustainability considerations such as prioritising local suppliers and supporting local community groups, the event this year featured lots of content on the topic. Events and activities included:

• A talk from the Head of Public Engagement at COP26, Dr Helen Adams;
• A partnership with Eden Project to plant wild flowers on campus and run ‘mini meadow’ making workshops; and
• Climate cafes that encouraged young people to share their concerns and ideas.

Your nominations

Therefore, we are calling on BSA stakeholders, supporters and staff to nominate people who are making an outstanding contribution to engagement and communication on the topic of climate science, sustainability and the environment.

In particular, we are looking to celebrate people from diverse backgrounds, and those who are listening to and amplifying the voices of people and communities who are traditionally marginalised or missing from these conversations. 

If you would like to make a nomination, please submit your suggestion by 5pm BST on Friday 29 October 2021.

Nominations are now closed.