Criteria for Assessment
Each section carries equal weight and is ranked out of a maximum of 5 points.
The judges’ decision is final.
Potential to “make a difference in the world”.
Potential to “make a difference in the world” is broadly construed through the potential of rigorous and scholarly history or heritage conservation to provide insights into present day challenges and to contribute to shaping equitable and sustainable futures.
These might be challenges like climate change, policy-making, marginalised histories or destruction of cultural heritage. The requirement is not for a specific area, but rather for applicants to have thought about how to convey the importance of their findings and subject area to a general interest audience.
The Ri has significant global platforms for raising awareness and public understanding. Applications with the potential to make the most of this opportunity will score highly in this section.
Inherent interest of subject.
Thesis summary is the principal application material relevant to this section. Applications which describe doctoral research of high interest and originality, e.g. in an under-researched area or making use of an innovative approach, will score highly in this section.
Academic merit.
CV and references are the principal application materials relevant to this section. These materials should evidence the outstanding academic merit of the applicant’s doctoral research, as well as its potential to make a significant contribution to the history of science; history of the Royal Institution; or heritage conservation.
This might be demonstrated through evidence of presentations, publications, grants and prizes, outstanding references or other marks of academic approbation.
Strength and originality of pitch.
The two-part general interest pitch consisting of 750 words and a short film of no more than 2 minutes are the most relevant application materials for this section.
These materials should identify and communicate the significance and potential of the applicant’s research in a compelling way that can engage a general interest audience. Applicants who succeed in doing so will score highly in this section.
Outward-looking
The two-part general interest pitch consisting of 750 words and a short film of no more than 2 minutes are the most relevant application materials for this section.
The Royal Institution has a strong existing institutional history. Applications which do not duplicate this existing work but are outward-looking and able to attract and engage new, general interest audiences from diverse groups to the history of science; history of the Royal Institution; or heritage conservation, will score highly in this section.