Stephen Hawking launches new award for science communication

He's one of the most recognizable scientists in the world... author of the bestselling book 'A Brief History of Time' and the subject of a celebrated Hollywood movie.

Now, Stephen Hawking is launching a new science award bearing his name to honor future thinkers who can widen the appeal and understanding of science for the general public through music, arts and cinema:

"By engaging with everyone from school children to politicians to pensioners, science communicators put science right at the heart of daily life. Bringing science to the people brings people into science. This matters to me, to you, to the world as a whole."

And with that, the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication was unveiled at the Royal Society in London... before an audience of scientists that included Queen guitarist—and astrophysicist—Brian May.

Hawkings says the award will be presented next year in Spain at the STARMUS festival, a six-day event linking astrophysics with music. — Reuters