Nature Awards and Sense about Science have announced the 2025 winners of Standing up for Science – The John Maddox Prize, recognizing individuals who have advanced evidence-based research in public discourse and policy discussions.
The annual award celebrates researchers who have demonstrated integrity and courage in promoting evidence-based dialogue and transparency in science. The 2025 Maddox Prize has been awarded to Virginia Burkett, a climate scientist and former chief scientist for climate and land use change at the US Geological Survey, for her work on the impacts of climate change on ecosystems.
The Early Career Award has been presented to Nicolás Zanetta-Colombo for his engagement with communities near copper mines in Chile to address data gaps in understanding the environmental effects of heavy metals. The judges have also commended Andrew Macintosh for identifying shortcomings in the administration of Australia’s carbon offset scheme.
The awards highlight the importance of collaboration, open research, and the free exchange of evidence in advancing global and local scientific understanding. They also emphasize the need to protect and support researchers who contribute credible evidence to public discussions, particularly when their findings challenge prevailing views.
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