The first Ig Nobel prizes were awarded in 1991 and are an American parody of the Nobel

Prizes. These awards raise the question of how you decide what is important and is not

important in science and in other matters.

The name is a play on the word ignoble (‘morally bad and making you feel ashamed’) and the

name Nobel after Alfred Nobel.

Ten prizes are awarded each year in many categories, including the Nobel Prize categories of

physics, chemistry, physiology-medicine, literature and peace, but also other categories such

as public health, engineering, biology and interdisciplinary research.

The prizes are presented by genuine Nobel laureates. Each new winner is permitted a

maximum of 60 seconds to deliver an acceptance speech.

The awards ceremony is traditionally closed with the words: ‘If you didn’t win a prize –and

especially if you did- better luck next year!’