Eureka moment for 55 finalists
Image: Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science Dr Jiao Jiao Li, University of Technology Sydney Copyright: Andy Roberts
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the most prestigious science awards in the country, with 55 finalists across four categories vying for a total prize pool of $180,000.
This year marks the 34th anniversary of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, and both the range of contenders and the diversity of achievements is impressive. Nineteen prizes will be awarded for significant contributions to science in the following categories: Research and Innovation, Leadership, Science Engagement, and School Science.
(Finalist team) Threatened Species Initiative. L to R: Sarah Richmond, Kym Ottewell, Kathy Belov, Carolyn Hogg. Credit: Abril Felman
“Now in its 34th year, the AM Eureka Prizes finalists not only display a steadfast commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges but also demonstrate the importance of collaborative innovation and solution seeking,” says Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay AO. “The Eureka Prizes show us the power of collective thinking and cross discipline partnership. It is a privilege to see what happens when some of Australia’s greatest scientific minds come together.”
The 2024 AM Eureka Prize finalist projects include:
- Dating Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse using octopus DNA.
- The world’s largest melanoma imaging study, advancing detection and management.
- Capturing electrical power from a thermoradiative diode, harvesting re-emitted solar energy at night.
- A sustainable recycling system for solar panels, contributing to Australia’s Net-Zero 2050 goals.
- Solving Buruli ulcer spread, paving the way for controlling this tropical skin disease in Australia.
Always high on the agenda for scientists is an awareness of environment and preserving the Earth, and this year sees the inclusion of a new prize for Sustainability Research.
Sophie L., and Scarlett P., Smith’s Hill High School, NSW. Image: Australian Museum
Chief Scientist and Director, Australian Museum Research Institute, Professor Kris Helgen said the AM Eureka Prizes provide the opportunity to remind us all that science impacts our everyday lives.
“From the food we grow, biodiversity we identify and describe, and the diseases we treat, it is impossible to overstate how important science is to our lives. The AM Eureka Prizes are the only national science prizes which brings together top scientists, emerging researchers, and schoolchildren, and we are proud to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of this year’s finalists.”
To coincide with the awards, the Australian Museum is holding a Eureka Talk series featuring scientists, innovators and change-makers discussing developments, challenges, and innovations in the fields of climate, health and science communication. (see below for dates).
The AM Eureka Prizes winners will be announced on Wednesday, 4 September, at a ceremony held at Sydney Town Hall.
Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Award Ceremony
September 4, 7:30pm
Sydney Town Hall, George St, Sydney.
Live broadcast from 7:30pm AEST via australian.museum/eurekaprizes
Eureka Talk Series
Saturday 24 August, 11am: Black Summer Bushfires
Saturday 31 August, 11am: Antarctica
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