Talks and shows

Ig Nobel Awards Tour Show 2025

Join Ig Nobel founder Marc Abrahams alongside Ig Nobel laureates to celebrate the awards which make you laugh, then think.

Ig Nobels

Every year the Ig Nobel Prizes honor ten achievements that make people LAUGH, then THINK. Marc Abrahams, founder of the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, will tell the story of the Igs. 

Marc will also be joined by former winners to present their research:

Saul Justin Newman, 2024 Ig Nobel Prize winner - Many of the people famous for having the longest lives lived in places that had lousy birth-and-death record-keeping.

Minna Lyons, 2014 Ig Nobel Prize winner - Probing the relationship between psychopaths and night owls.

Lineup subject to change.

Event type

This is a theatre only event where the speakers and audience are together in our Theatre.

By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants. Please note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option.

For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About Marc Abrahams

Image of Marc Abrahams

Marc founded the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony in 1991. The prizes — for achievements that make people LAUGH, then THINK — are handed out by genuine, bemused Nobel laureates in a gala event held every year at Harvard University or MIT, and broadcast on the web and on public radio. In 2022 the Ig Nobel Prize was itself given a prize: the Heinz Oberhummer award, for “outstanding science communication”.

He co-founded and edits the magazine Annals of Improbable Research (AIR), and wrote This is Improbable, The Ig Nobel Prizes, and other books. He edits and writes much of the web site and blog www.improbable.com.

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Event terms and conditions