You are here: Home > Our News > Josh Award >
Josh Awards Winner 2009
Bolton busker wins science award
2 November 2009
A Bolton-based science communicator who likes to busk about why science is amazing has won this year’s Joshua Phillips Award for Innovation in Science Engagement (Josh Award). The award was presented to David Price of science made simple at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) as part of last week’s Manchester Science Festival (24 October – 1 November 2009).
David, who is from Westhoughton, performs science shows in schools throughout the North and also busks about science on the streets of Greater Manchester. This year he won a bursary from the science communication organisation British Interactive Group to visit the World Busking Championships in Dublin. David used the professional busking skills he learnt in Dublin to create his own science busking show for the public, which was performed during the Manchester Science Festival.
From chemical explosions to the science of circus acts, the Josh Award is open to anyone in Britain involved in using creative ideas to make science inspiring and relevant to a mainstream audience. Previous winners for 2007 and 2008 include Naked Scientist radio presenter and doctor Chris Smith, and science communicator Karen Bultitude. The award is now in its third year.
David said: “It’s fantastic to win this award. I’m passionate about science and about explaining just how amazing and relevant it is to all our lives. Many people are put off science at an early age because it seems too inaccessible and difficult to understand. It’s been really exciting taking my shows out on the streets and showing people that we can look at science to explain things like sport, sumo wrestling and even whoopee cushions.”
Natalie Ireland, Manchester Science Festival Director said: “The Josh Award is a great opportunity to recognise unique talent in communicating science to the public. David's original style and flair wows the crowds and really engages them with science. We are really looking forward to David working with us as science communicator in residence for the 2010 Manchester Science Festival - stay tuned to see what he comes up with!"
David runs the Northern office of the national science communications company science made simple, which aims to inspire people about science by using interactive presentations and visual demonstrations for schools and the public. It has picked up several national awards, and most recently won this year's Royal Academy of Engineering Public Promotion of Engineering Medal for its Engineering Explained project. It is based in Cardiff.
The Josh Award is named after Josh Phillips, who was science communications officer at MOSI, and died in a road accident in November 2006. Josh was renowned for his innovative and fun approach to getting people of all ages interested in science. The Award includes a cash prize of £1000 and a trophy.
This is the third year of the Manchester Science Festival, a nine-day celebration of Manchester’s achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths. The Festival aims to work with a wide variety of venues across the city, to inspire the region’s next generation of innovators. Over 150 events take place in over 25 venues throughout Greater Manchester. The Festival is produced in collaboration with over 50 partners. MOSI is the lead partner for the Manchester Science Festival.
The Manchester Science Festival and the Josh Award is an annual event in Manchester. For more information look up www.manchestersciencefestival.com For more information on science made simple look up www.sciencemadesimple.co.uk
For media information please contact Sarah Roe Tel: 0161 606 0176 m: 07847 372647
