The Demonstration Team at the Royal Institution (Ri) has been honoured with the 2025 Hauksbee Award for being ‘global leaders in spectacular science demonstrations’, it was announced by the Royal Society today. The Award – named after Sir Isaac Newton’s laboratory assistant, Francis Hauksbee – is given for outstanding achievements in science from an individual or team whose work is mostly ‘behind the scenes’ and might not normally be recognised.
Announced alongside 26 other Royal Society medal and award winners recognised for their outstanding contributions to scientific discovery, public engagement and research culture, this year’s Hauksbee Award cites the ‘vital importance of demonstrations for effective education and communication of scientific concepts’. Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said: “The recipients of this year’s medals and awards have all made outstanding contributions to science and its applications for the benefit of humanity.
“They have done so through by furthering our understanding of the processes that govern the world around us, changing the practices of academia to build a more robust and inclusive research environment, and engaging new audiences.
“Celebrating these diverse contributions is core to the Society’s mission and I offer my congratulations to all the 2025 recipients.”
Katherine Mathieson, Director of the Royal Institution, said: “Demonstrations are central to successful public engagement with science, making complex scientific principles and advances accessible as well as entertaining.
“So we are delighted to receive The Royal Society’s Hauksbee Award, which recognises the contribution not only of our current Demo Team members but also every one of their predecessors who have built the Ri’s reputation as a global leader in spectacular science demonstrations.
“I’d like to offer my congratulations to every member of the team for this richly deserved recognition. And I am looking forward to seeing the incredible science – most likely accompanied by plenty of fire and explosions – that our talented team are planning for their next appearance in the Ri Theatre.”
Also among those honoured by the Royal Society today was Professor Mike Wooldridge, who gave the 2023 CHRISTMAS LECTURES from the Royal Institution, awarded the Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture for his award-winning work as a leading researcher, educator and commentator in the field of artificial intelligence. The Ri Demo Team – whose next extravaganza show in the Ri Theatre is on Saturday 20 September – will be presented with a medal of silver gilt at a special award ceremony at the Royal Society in December.