Dr Hannah Ritchie has been awarded the prestigious Unwin Award, securing her place as one of the most influential voices in modern British non-fiction. The senior researcher and data scientist received the £10,000 prize at a ceremony at the Royal Institution in London, marking a significant moment in a literary landscape often dominated by environmental pessimism.
Award Recognises Impactful Writing
Established last year by the Publishers Association and funded by the Unwin Charitable Trust, the award celebrates writers who have made a profound impact on global discourse. Ritchie, Deputy Editor at Our World in Data and a researcher at the University of Oxford, was recognised for her body of work including her 2024 publication Not The End of the World and her follow-up Clearing the Air.
The judging panel, chaired by broadcaster Claudia Hammond, praised Ritchie's ability to marshal complex scientific data into an accessible and intellectually rigorous narrative. In a field often filled with apocalyptic rhetoric, the panel noted that Ritchie's optimistic, evidence-based approach provides a necessary counter-narrative, proving that tangible progress is being made against climate change.
Ritchie's Response
Accepting the award, Ritchie said: "I'm surprised, but also extremely honoured to have been given the Unwin Award, especially when shortlisted alongside such amazing talent. I'm not someone who writes purely for the love of words (I'm more of a data nerd at heart); I write to communicate ideas that hopefully move the world in a positive direction. To win the Unwin Award, focused on that specific contribution, really means a lot."
Judges' Comments
Claudia Hammond, Chair of The Unwin Award 2026 Judging Panel, commented: "Hannah's books are hugely impressive. I learned so much that I didn't know. If we put all her research into practice her books can make a difference to the planet, but also to our personal well-being in the meantime. Hannah's meticulous marshalling of the evidence shows that there has been more progress than we might think and that there is hope. And hope is something we all need at the moment."
The evening also featured the annual Unwin Award Lecture, delivered by inaugural winner Caroline Criado Perez, underscoring the award's mission to champion early-career authors whose work influences societal structures.
Strong Shortlist
Ritchie was selected from a formidable shortlist including Keon West's The Science of Racism, Hannah Barnes's Time to Think, Carrie Gracie's Equal, Dr Frances Ryan's Who Wants Normal?, and Sarah Wynn-Williams's Careless People.
