Breaking News! Announcing the Winners of Stephen Hawking Medal
Elon Musk, Brian Eno, and Apollo 11 documentary will be honored by STARMUS with the 2019 Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication
The 2019 Stephen Hawking Medal for science communication comes a year after the great scientist’s passing
The STARMUS festival announces the 2019 winners of the Stephen Hawking Medal, one of the world’s most celebrated science communication awards. This year’s recipients are:
Elon Musk for his astounding accomplishments in space travel and for humanity
Brian Eno for his contribution to the popularisation of science
Apollo 11, a documentary by Todd Douglas Miller, for its breakthrough look at history’s most famous space mission
STARMUS will announce the winners at a press event in Zurich on May 10th, with the medal ceremony to follow on June 24 at the STARMUS V festival, also in Zurich. Celebrated scientist and educator Bill Nye will host the ceremony, and scheduled attendees include a remarkable roster of science and space luminaries, including Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins and six other Apollo mission astronauts.
STARMUS co-founder and board member Dr. Brian May, the legendary Queen guitarist and PhD astrophysicist, will personally present the medal to Mr. Musk, who has been hailed by no less than Richard Dawkins as a “hero for our times.” On hand as well will be Sir Michael Hintze, founder, Group Executive Chairman, and Senior Investment Officer of CQS, whose generous patronage helps make possible the Stephen Hawking Medal; and STARMUS founder Dr. Garik Israelian. It will be a momentous occasion, with Mr. May and Mr. Musk flanked by the Apollo astronauts in a not-to-miss photo opportunity.
Sir Michael Hintze, Founder and Group Executive Chairman of CQS added “I am excited about our support for Starmus and the 2019 Stephen Hawking Medal. It is enabling us to better understand the origins and fate of our universe, where we have come from and where we might go. It is about intellectual curiosity, striving for knowledge and a journey of discovery about our planet and our place in the universe. For science to grow and prosper we must excite and engage with our youth, and capture their imagination. The work being done here connects into the global scientific community and facilitates global collaboration.”
One highlight among many expected at this year’s medal ceremony will be a one-of-a-kind performance, conducted by musical giant Hans Zimmer and featuring special guests, of his original composition “Once Upon a Time on The Moon,” an incredible 50th anniversary tribute to the Apollo missions and those who made them possible.
This year’s awards are the first bestowed since the passing of Stephen Hawking; they are dedicated to his legacy and given in recognition of his affinity for applied technology. Before his death, Mr. Hawking personally invited Mr. Musk to STARMUS. Previous recipients of the Stephen Hawking Medal include Mr. Zimmer, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jean-Michel Jarre, and The Big Bang Theory.
The press announcement event will happen in Zurich, May 10th at 10:15 (GMT+2). Interested media should contact the number below to arrange special, select interviews.
**STARMUS extends a special thanks for the amazing support from its title sponsors, CQS, Kaspersky Labs and Omega.**