Associate Professor Suzie Sheehy announced as finalist in 2024 Eureka Prizes
Faculty of Science physicist and science communicator Associate Professor Suzie Sheehy has been selected as a finalist in Australia’s leading science awards, the Australian Museum’s Eureka Prizes.
Associate Professor Suzie Sheehy
The 2024 Eureka Prizes recognise leaders in Australian scientific discovery, invention, communication, and innovation, with 55 finalists announced today across 19 categories.
Associate Professor Sheehy is a finalist in the Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting an Understanding of Science.
For more than two decades, Associate Professor Sheehy has developed and refined a communications style that uses empathetic storytelling to reshape perceptions of science, connect discovery with innovation, and highlight the under-appreciated role of women researchers.
Associate Professor Sheehy said it was an honour to be selected as a finalist.
“I’m dedicated to helping people connect with science through storytelling and showcasing world-changing scientific discoveries that have resulted from curiosity-driven research,” Associate Professor Sheehy said.
“I’ve learnt that people connect more with the ‘why’ than the ‘what’. Tapping into the stories of real scientists in history, including women whose stories have been overlooked, helps people see science as a part of culture rather than a set of facts – this makes it more relevant, accessible and important to their lives.”
Associate Professor Sheehy engages the public as a media commentator, keynote speaker and author of the bestselling science book The Matter of Everything, published in 12 languages. She has also presented a popular TEDx talk on ‘The Case for Curiosity Driven Research’ that has been viewed nearly two million times.
“I’m delighted the Eureka Prize team continues to celebrate the importance of engaging the public with scientific research. High quality engagement creates positive impacts in society and leads to better scientific research,” Associate Professor Sheehy said.
Watch: Associate Professor Suzie Sheehy on the importance of storytelling in science
Associate Professor Sheehy’s research in accelerator physics bridges curiosity-driven and applied science. She leads a diverse research group specialising in novel particle accelerators and beam dynamics, with a focus on next-generation cancer treatment technologies.
The 2024 Eureka Prizes winners will be announced on Wednesday 4 September at a ceremony in Sydney. A livestream of the awards will be available for public viewing. Register here.