Andrea Obaid, winner of the award for outstanding achievements in science communication.
The US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, in collaboration with the Schmidt Futures Foundation announced the winners of the second edition of the prestigious Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Scientific Communication 2023 – known as the “Oscars” of the field. This year the award in the “Freelancer” category went to the presenter of Tu Nuevo Adn on Radio Adn from Chile, Andrea Obaid. The journalist who is also that She is President of the Chilean Association of Journalists and Science Communication Professionals (ACHIPEC) and the first journalist in South America to be honored with the award, for which 500 journalists and multipliers applied this year.
The Adn journalist was highlighted for her two television series: “Cocina Lab, food has its science”, which shows in 12 chapters how science is present in food and food manipulation (published in 2021 and repeated in 2023 by the TVN channel on his Chilean broadcaster). and international signals); and Chilenautas, a series of 8 chapters that shows how technology impacts the various artistic and technical manifestations. (aired on Channel 13 Cable, TV Educa Chile and Prime Video).
Through them, according to the jury, it “harnesses the knowledge of Chilean scientists and explores cultural ways to make complex science accessible and delicious” and is transversal thanks to its simple and entertaining language. “His enthusiasm for demystifying science with an approach that engages and interests a wide audience is rare and deserves applause.” Obaid’s unique voice has incredible impact and a voice all his own that is changing the way science is done intertwined with life in Chile,” added the United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Obaid expressed his gratitude: “This award is very important to me because it integrates me into an international network of science journalists with the aim of promoting science communication worldwide.” In addition, it recognizes all the work I have done since 2006 . But more than that, it highlights the importance of scholarly communication in Chile and the region and of telling stories in ways that touch people of all ages. This undoubtedly gives us as a country high visibility and importance globally.”
The journalist admitted that for many years she believed “that she was sailing against the tide” and now she feels “that it is a mission” that she must complete. “Especially in the moments when we are experiencing a pandemic and various environmental crises, which I have taken as an opportunity, science, technology, health and the environment occupy a privileged place in the media and in people’s homes, so.” that she make informed decisions.” The challenge, he emphasizes, is to reach new media in order to “reach more people.”
About the awards
The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Scholarly Communication 2023 they had A A selection committee of 30 people and a jury of 12 highly experienced people honored 24 scientific journalists, specialist audience representatives and researchers who have developed original and creative work to make various topics in science, technology and medicine known to the general public.
The winners were divided into eight categories: nine awards for scientific communication by research scientists; nine awards for science journalists and six awards for science communicators. In each of the categories, a main prize of $40,000 (approximately 31 million Chilean pesos) and two prizes of $20,000 (approximately 17 million pesos) were awarded.
The winners, including Chilean Andrea Obaid, will be honored at a recognition event and workshops taking place on January 11 and 12, 2024 in Washington, DC.