Toivo Maimets received the Tiiu Sild memorial lifetime achievement award

On 15 November, the Estonian Research Council recognised outstanding science communicators at its annual science communication conference. The Tiiu Sild memorial lifetime achievement award for long-standing and systematic popularisation of science and technology was granted to Toivo Maimets, Professor of Cell Biology at the University of Tartu. A total of five university-affiliated researchers and science deeds were awarded at the conference.

Toivo Maimets, the recipient of the Tiiu Sild memorial lifetime achievement award, has participated in countless public debates on the trends, problems or ethical issues of various fields of science. Through his valuable work, Maimets has contributed to fostering a science-based society and ensured that people are aware of the developments in modern medicine and biotechnology. At the same time, he has emphasised the importance of preserving and developing the Estonian language of science.

“Toivo Maimets is a communicator of science in the best sense of the term,” said Ene Ergma, chair of the selection committee. “In addition to being an undeniably excellent scientist and having made a huge contribution to Estonian science, he also has a wonderful ability to talk about science in a way understandable to the common people. Fortunately for us, he has helped develop Estonian science and make it understandable wherever he had the opportunity.”

Science communication awards were presented in six categories, and special prizes were also awarded. The awards aim to encourage people to talk and write more about science in society.

In the category “Science and technology communication via printed media”, the main prize was awarded to Jaan Aru, Associate Professor of Computational Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, for his popular science book Loovusest ja logelemisest (On creativity and loafing around).

In the category “Science and technology communication via audio-visual and electronic media”, the main prize went to the University of Tartu Estonian Biobank’s portal MinuGeenivaramu and its creators: Natalia Pervjakova, head of the portal team, Lili Milani, Head of the Estonian Biobank and Professor of Epi- and Pharmacogenomics, Kristjan Metsalu, Head of the IT unit of the Estonian Estonian Biobank, and Mait Metspalu, Professor of Evolutionary Genomics.

In the category “Activities/series of activities communicating science and technology”, the main prize was presented to the Barlova Science Nights series led by Project Manager Karin Pai and Tartu Observatory House Band.

Associate Professor of Journalism Studies Marju Himma received the main prize in the “Best researcher, journalist or teacher communicating science and technology” category.

In addition to the national awards, Tartu Observatory, in cooperation with the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO) in Estonia, gave out the special prize Linnutee täht (The Milky Way Star). This prize recognises an individual or institution that has made a significant contribution to the popularisation of science and technology in the space sector. The award was presented to Aire Siinvert, Head Teacher at Kuressaare Nooruse Kool.

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