Director Sir Ridley Scott has been awarded the 2026 Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication by STARMUS Festival co-founders Sir Brian May and Garik Israelian.
The presentation took place at Claridge’s in London on Friday, August 21, 2026, following the global premiere of Scott’s latest film, Dog Stars. During the private meeting, Scott was presented with the medal alongside a custom OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch in 18K Moonshine Gold.
Established a decade ago by the late Professor Stephen Hawking alongside the STARMUS board, the medal recognizes individuals who bridge science and public engagement through art, music, and cinema. Scott joins previous recipients including David Attenborough and filmmaker Christopher Nolan.
The award honors Scott’s cinematic body of work—including Alien, Blade Runner, Prometheus, The Martian, and Dog Stars—for its exploration of artificial intelligence, space exploration, extraterrestrial life, and the ethical implications of technological advancement.
Accepting the award, Scott expressed that inspiring curiosity through film remains a privilege, emphasizing the importance of public engagement with scientific thought.
STARMUS co-founder Sir Brian May noted that Scott’s filmography exemplifies the intersection of art and science, while co-founder Garik Israelian highlighted how Scott’s work encourages audiences to ponder fundamental questions surrounding human origin, intelligence, and survival beyond Earth. During their discussion on science and humanity, Scott reflected on existence and cosmic intelligence, questioning whether humanity is observed by higher entities beyond current comprehension.
The official Stephen Hawking Medal Ceremony 2026 will take place during Starmus VIII: The Search for Truth, scheduled for October 17–22, 2026, across Tenerife and La Palma in the Canary Islands. The festival combines science, art, and music to promote public understanding of scientific research.
Further event details and delegate registration are available via the official STARMUS website.
Photo credit: Max Alexander
