CLEX has introduced a new engagement prize for students and early career researchers on fixed contracts with the winner announced at the next annual workshop. The prize is for all forms of engagement but engagement outside the university sector and beyond our usual stakeholders will be considered particularly highly.

The creation of the prize reflects the increasing importance of communicating our science to make it accessible to the general public and to help stakeholders understand the importance of climate research for them and society at large.

There is also a strong element of self-interest when it comes to communicating science, with a growing body of communications research showing that the best communicators also tend to receive more citations and develop deeper peer networks than their fellows. Increasingly, a history of climate communication is also being looked on favourably by employers and grant bodies.

Any member of CLEX can nominate a student or ECR for the prize and self-nomination is also allowed.

An assessment committee that includes the COO and Director along with members of the Engagement and Impact Committee and any additional personnel required to avoid conflicts of interest will select the winner. The winner will receive $500 and a certificate. So, if you reaching out to new stakeholders or engage in science communication this year, be sure to nominate for this annual prize.