Subscribe now

Life

The weird and wacky science that won Ig Nobel prizes this year

Feedback is our weekly column of bizarre stories, implausible advertising claims, confusing instructions and more

18 September 2020

Ig Nobel prize winners

Josie Ford

“Everybody has won, and all must have prizes.” Feedback subscribes fully to the Dodo’s verdict on the Caucus race in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Equally, however, some have won more than others, and they must have further prizes.

From this angle, we approach, gingerly, the scientific world’s top looking-glass awards, the Ig Nobels. Now in their 30th year, the prizes for “achievements that first make people laugh, and then think” were announced last week in a ceremony all the more glittering for being held entirely in the pixels of the internet.

Feedback attended the virtual red carpet,…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account