British writer, comedian, and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig will receive the Heinz Oberhummer Award for Science Communication on April 24, 2026, at a live gala presentation in Vienna’s Natural History Museum (NHM). The award recognizes outstanding efforts in communicating science to the public.
The Heinz Oberhummer Award, which comes with a €20,000 prize and a glass of alpaca excrement, will be presented as part of Austria’s Long Night of Research. This nationwide event, supported by the Federal Ministries for Women, Science and Research, for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism, and for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, offers free admission to over 3,000 events across the country.
According to the award’s official website, Toksvig is receiving the honor “as a sign of solidarity with Greenland against transatlantic blockheads,” a playful comment from Martin Puntigam. However, the award truly recognizes her lifelong commitment to education and equality.
“What hasn’t she done?” Puntigam asks, highlighting Toksvig’s diverse career as a radio and television host, author, live comedian, political activist, and actress. “She has always shown that political education is not an elite project, but an invitation to everyone to get involved.”
The Long Night of Research, taking place on April 24, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, will transform Austria into a showcase for science and innovation. Visitors can explore hands-on exhibits, experiments, and discussions covering digitalization, energy, society, health, culture, natural sciences, technology, the environment, and the economy. Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister Peter Hanke, and Federal Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer presented the program at a press conference on March 25, 2026.
The Heinz Oberhummer Award was established in 2014 and is named after Heinz Oberhummer, a co-founder of the Science Busters. The No Such Thing As A Fish podcast team received the award in 2019 for their “outstanding efforts in science communication.”
Toksvig previously hosted the BBC2 panel indicate QI, which was formerly presented by Stephen Fry. The award ceremony will too be live-streamed online.
