LifeScienceXplained

For Those Who Can Explain Life Sciences

The LifeScienceXplained award honors communicators who use creative formats to make complex life science topics understandable to a broad audience. The award is endowed with 15,000 euros in prize money.

This year's submissions have once again demonstrated the many ways in which science communication can succeed. From numerous entries, our jury selected three outstanding contributions that have advanced to the final round of the 2026 LifeScienceXplained award.

The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on November 5, 2026, which is part of the Göttinger Literaturherbst festival.

Until then, we invite you to discover the three finalists, who stood out for their creative ideas and compelling formats.

The Nominees 2026

"Why Brain Cancer is SO Dangerous"

Jonathan Bennion, Co-Founder and Director of Education at the Institute of Human Anatomy

What makes brain tumors so unique, and why do they continue to pose enormous challenges for physicians today? This video takes us inside the human brain and uses real human specimens to demonstrate the different rules that apply to brain tumors compared to cancers in other organs. The video vividly illustrates how the brain protects itself, why even benign tumors can become life-threatening, and why their treatment is so difficult. Complex scientific concepts are conveyed clearly, tangibly, and compellingly.

The jury was particularly impressed by the combination of scientific precision and impressive visual storytelling. Working with real anatomical structures makes complex scientific concepts tangible and reveals what would otherwise be difficult to imagine. Innovative, creative, and scientifically outstanding, the video demonstrates how modern science communication can inspire and engage audiences.

Watch the video on YouTube: "Why Brain Cancer is SO Dangerous"

"Truly Human!"

Dr. Karsten Brensing, Behavioural Biologist and Author

Katrin Linke, Science Communicator and Author

The children's non-fiction book "Truly Human!" by Karsten Brensing and Katrin Linke, illustrated by Nicolai Renger, takes not only young readers on an exciting journey through human history. From the Stone Age to the age of artificial intelligence, the authors clearly and engagingly explain what makes us human and why we are the way we are. Accessible text and charming illustrations draw on scientific content, making even complex concepts easy to understand.

The jury was particularly impressed by the combination of in-depth knowledge, accessible language, and thoughtful design. "Truly Human!" showcases how modern science communication can spark curiosity and engage readers far beyond its intended target audience.

Discover the children's non-fiction book: "Truly Human!"

(Available in German only)

"Case from the Clinic: Seizure in the Supermarket"

Dr. med. Nibras Naami, Senior Consultant in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Co-Founder of "Hand, Fuß, Mund"

Through the Instagram channel "Hand, Fuß, Mund", Nibras Naami and his team demonstrate how health education on social media can be both accessible and personal. Drawing on the story of a boy who became seriously ill years after having his spleen removed, the video clearly and approachably explains the often-underestimated role of the spleen in our immune system. The post effectively combines medical expertise with a personal story that resonates with the audience.

With its effective storytelling, clear communication of scientific knowledge, and concise format, "Hand, Fuß, Mund" impressed the jury. This submission shows that well-founded, evidence-based science communication can be conveyed clearly, relevantly, and engagingly in just a few minutes.

Watch the Instagram Reel: "Case from the Clinic: Seizure in the Supermarket"

(Available in German only)

The Jury

The LifeScienceXplained prize is awarded by an independent jury of science and communication professionals. Three criteria are decisive for their decision: verifiability, comprehensibility and creativity.

After careful consideration of all entries, the jury selects three entries from which the winning entrywill be chosen. The name of the winner and the jury's reasoning are announced at the award ceremony each year. The three final entries will be published in advance.

Inga Bergen

Entrepreneur and expert for innovations in the healthcare sector

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Brück

CEO, Head of Research and Teaching and dean of the medical faculty at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG)

Prof. Dr. Viola Priesemann

Professor at the Max-Planck-Institut for Dynamics and Self-Organization and the University of Göttingen for Neural Systems Theory

Dr.-Ing. Jan Patrick Pietras

Co-CEO and Co-Founder of myotwin

Anja Martini

Science Editor of tagesschau

Naomi Weitzel

PhD student at the Institute of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Regensburg, LSX Winner 2025, Member of the jury for 2026

The Best of Five Years LifeScienceXplained

Who has reached the finals in the last five years?

(Only Available in German)

Watch Video Now

All Finalists

How Light Becomes Stronger: Superpowers of Tiny Particles

(Only Available in German)

A Science Slam about Prevention and Parkinson's Disease

(Only Available in German)

Alzheimer’s Disease: Dangerous Slime in the Brain

(Only Available in German)

Dr. Franca Parianen inspires with science slam "Motor im Kopf"

(Only Available in German)

The influence of lifestyle factors on people's life expectancy

(Only Available in German)

Stopping the aging process with the yeast cultures

(Only Available in German)

Big data and artificial intelligence for the healthcare sector

(Only Available in German)

Children's non-fiction picture book about bacteria and their habitat

(Only Available in German)

Podcast Radio detektor.fm with the latest scientific topics

(Only Available in German)

Sugar - the next pandemic? 

(Only Available in German)

The YouTube Channel for Scientific Topics

(Only Available in German)

"Marko, the Macrophage" - The Science Comic

(Only Available in German)

Coronavirus explained with the help of an orange and cloves

(Only Available in German)

The non-fiction book about life and death: “Farewell to Hermine”

(Only Available in German)

13 Experiments - Understand the pandemic with tonic water & co.

(Only Available in German)

Partner

The Sartorius Prize for New Communication is awarded together with the NDR Non-fiction Book Prize. This award, also endowed with 15,000 euros, recognizes the best non-fiction book of the year published in German. 

The joint award ceremony will take place on November 5, 2026 as part of the Göttinger Literaturherbst festival at the Sartorius Campus in Göttingen.

NDR Nonfiction Book Prize

Literaturherbst Festival

Contact

LifeScienceXplained
Lisa Kottas