Had the great pleasure of presenting Prof Brian Cox with his STARMUS Stephen Hawking medal today — in recognition of his extraordinary achievement in communicating science to the public. We talked of many things ! The complete interview and conversation will be broadcast later, and we hope to include Prof Cox at the STARMUS Festival in Tenerife in a couple of weeks time. It’s not too late to book tickets for this festival of Music and Astronomy – art and science – this year our theme in The Search for Truth. Many wonderful lectures planned – and some very memorable music, I predict, including Andrea Bocelli, Rick Wakeman, Sara Brightman, and myself !!
See you there – details in my SLINK ! Or visit the STARMUS website.
Cheers – Bri
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ITV NEWS FILMED THIS SPECIAL OCCASION AND BROADCAST THE PRIVATE CEREMONY ON THE 6PM NEWS LAST NIGHT:
Watch the ITV coverage – VIEW HERE
STARMUS FESTIVAL COFOUNDERS SIR BRIAN MAY AND GARIK ISRAELIAN PRESENTED PROFESSOR BRIAN COX WITH THE 2026 STEPHEN HAWKING MEDAL FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
London — 2 October 2026
At the Royal Astronomical Society in London, STARMUS Festival cofounders Sir Brian May and Garik Israelian awarded Professor Brian Cox the prestigious 2026 Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication, recognising his outstanding contribution to bringing science to global audiences and inspiring millions through his work as a physicist, broadcaster and public communicator.
The private ceremony was filmed by ITV News and broadcast on the 6pm ITV News bulletin on 2 October 2026.
The Stephen Hawking Medal was established ten years ago by Professor Stephen Hawking, a board member of the STARMUS Festival, to honour individuals who bridge the gap between science and society through the arts, music and film.
Brian Cox says:
“It’s a great honour to receive the 2026 Stephen Hawking Medal from STARMUS, and particularly poignant for me because I was there with Stephen when the Medal was first announced 10 years ago. Astronomy is the oldest science, and in today’s fractured world I believe that striving to understand the Universe is more important than ever. Stephen believed in the search for knowledge for its own sake. ‘Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet’ was Stephen’s closing line all those years ago. For me that is what STARMUS, and science, and life, is all about.”
The Festival’s opening celebration on 17 October in Tenerife will unite science, music, and culture in an extraordinary evening featuring Andrea Bocelli, Sir Brian May and Sarah Brightman, accompanied by the Las Palmas Symphony Orchestra, alongside Rick Wakeman, Rusanda Panfili, and the STARMUS All Stars Band. The evening’s centrepiece will be the celebration of the Stephen Hawking Medal, marking a decade of outstanding contributions to public engagement with science.
Due to his touring schedule, Professor Brian Cox is unable to attend the ceremony in Tenerife. He was therefore presented with the medal at a private ceremony at the Royal Astronomical Society in London on 2 October. The ceremony was filmed by ITV News and broadcast on the 6pm bulletin that evening.
“Ten years ago, Stephen Hawking helped us launch a dream,” said Garik Israelian, co-founder of STARMUS. “Today, we celebrate not only what has been achieved, but also the extraordinary community that has grown around the idea that science belongs to everyone. We are delighted to be awarding Brian Cox on this occasion.”
Sir Brian May, co-founder of STARMUS, added: “The Stephen Hawking Medal was born from a shared belief that science should inspire people far beyond the scientific community. Ten years later, its message is more important than ever. At a time when truth, evidence, and critical thinking are increasingly challenged, we are proud to celebrate those who help bring science, wonder, and understanding to the world. I am delighted that this year’s STARMUS is honouring Brian Cox, whose uniquely powerful presentations have dramatically changed the way the general public view the world.”
As well as presenting Brian Cox with the impressive medal, Brian May and Garik Israelian also gifted him a unique OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch crafted in 18K Moonshine™ Gold.
The three discussed astronomy, humanity, music, AI, the Universe, and the enduring legacy of Stephen Hawking, a decade after he and the STARMUS co-founders established the medal to celebrate outstanding contributions to science communication.
The Stephen Hawking Medal Ceremony 2026 will be celebrated as part of STARMUS VIII: The Search for Truth, including a concert with Brian May, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman celebrating the union between science and music.
17–22 October, Tenerife & La Palma.
Tickets available at www.starmus.com
