From the Nominator

"Jocelyn Bell Burnell’s "Journey of Discovery" is a multimedia piece that tells the story of a PhD student who, in 1967, discovered pulsars, previously unknown, using the radio telescope antennae she built in a muddy field in Cambridgeshire. Told in her own voice and with original images, it takes the reader back to the thrilling moment of discovery. Using new film footage, it brings the story to the present as she describes what led her to donate all of a recent £2.3 million prize to help under-represented groups become physicists.   

Our aim was to celebrate the heart and mind of our university--the curiosity, imagination, passion, and dedication of our young researchers, as well as the fundamental contributions our research makes to society. The multimedia content we sourced provides a fascinating insight into one of our most celebrated scientists, marking the moments when her work resulted in a Nobel Prize (but controversially not to her) and inspired the artwork of an iconic album cover.   

Our social media strategy drew on several angles to reach different audiences, promoting research impact on the anniversary of Jocelyn’s discovery, celebrating women in science, and encouraging gender and diversity equality in physics. As of February 28, the article had 17,300 page views and the film had 11,500 views on YouTube."

From the Judges

Well executed. Good link of experience to achievement to philanthropy, bringing the story full circle. The panel was particularly complimentary of the use of Dr. Burnell's voice in the story and the incorporation of multiple points of view into the narrative.