27 May 2016

Watch the 2016 Kavli Prize Announcement Live Online June 2nd

Richard Fienberg

Richard Fienberg AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force

This announcement is adapted from a Kavli Foundation press release:

On Thursday, 2 June, the 2016 Kavli Prizes in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience will be announced from the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in Oslo. The international biennial prizes, with US $1 million cash awards in each field, recognize pioneering advances in our understanding of existence at its biggest, smallest, and most complex scales.

In New York City the World Science Festival (WSF) will hold an invitation-only breakfast program, live-streamed for free on both the WSF and Kavli Prize sites. France Córdova, Director of the National Science Foundation, will deliver the keynote address at the event, which will be hosted by Dr. Richard Besser, ABC News’ Chief Health and Medical Editor, and will include a live satellite transmission of the announcement. The breakfast will conclude with a panel discussion of the laureates’ prize-winning work by three preeminent scientists: astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala, nanoscientist Michal Lipson, and neuroscientist Cori Bargmann.

The live-stream will begin at 8:15 am EDT and conclude at 10:00 am EDT. Highlights of the program and webcast:

  • Announcement of the 2016 Kavli Prize laureates by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, hosted by scientist and science writer Adam Rutherford. Presented by Ole M. Sejerstedm, President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, with remarks by the Kavli Prize committee chairs.
  • Keynote Address by Dr. France Córdova, Director of the US National Science Foundation.
  • Panel discussion about the prizes led by ABC news journalist Richard Besser, with astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), nanoscientist Michal Lipson (Columbia University), and neuroscientist Cori Bargmann (2012 Kavli Prize laureate in neuroscience, Rockefeller University).

Kavli laureates are chosen by committees whose members are recommended by six of the world’s most renowned science societies and academies. Winners, who are not notified in advance of the announcement, go on to receive gold medals, presented this year by H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon, during a ceremony in Oslo. The ceremony is followed by a banquet at Oslo’s famed City Hall, the venue of such historic events as the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Since its inaugural year, all US laureates have also visited the Oval Office of the White House in recognition of the honor and the laureates’ scientific contributions.