Dr Hannah Ritchie wins The Unwin Award 2026

22 April 2026

Hannah Ritchie
Dr Hannah Ritchie, Deputy Editor and Science Outreach Lead at Our World in Data, has been named the winner of The Unwin Award 2026, recognising non-fiction authors in the earlier stages of their careers whose work has made a significant contribution to the world.

The Unwin Award, run by the Publishers Association, is an annual literary award established in 2025. It recognises an author’s overall body of work, rather than a single title, and is intended to champion and showcase the value of the UK publishing industry to the world.

“I write to communicate ideas that hopefully move the world in a positive direction”

Dr Ritchie, a bestselling author, researcher and editor, was announced as the winner during a ceremony at The Royal Institution, London. She is the author of two works of non-fiction, Not the End of the World (2024) and Clearing the Air (2025).

The Unwin Award Judging Panel praised Not the End of the World as a well-written and revealing book, recognising its optimistic, data-grounded approach and its ability to give readers hope for the future of the planet. The panel also highlighted Dr Ritchie’s use of data and science to address ambitious questions about climate change and sustainability.

“I’m surprised, but also extremely honoured to have been given the Unwin Award, especially when shortlisted alongside such amazing talent,” said Dr Ritchie. “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.”

Dr Ritchie is also an Oxford Martin Fellow on the Oxford Martin Programme on Global Development. Her work focuses on the long-term development of food supply, agriculture, energy and the environment, and their compatibility with global development.

Her research examines global food systems and their capacity to address malnutrition and environmental sustainability simultaneously. She also publishes on the global energy system, climate change, biodiversity and global health.