Starmus Festival Honor: Professor Brian Cox Receives 2026 Stephen Hawking Medal

Celebrating Science Communication: Brian Cox Honored with Stephen Hawking Medal 2026

On October 2, 2026, at the Royal Astronomical Society in London, a significant event took place that underscored the importance of science communication. Sir Brian May and Garik Israelian, co-founders of the Starmus Festival, presented Professor Brian Cox with the esteemed Stephen Hawking Medal for 2026. This award recognizes Cox’s extraordinary contributions to making scientific knowledge accessible and inspirational to an international audience through his work as a physicist, presenter, and communicator.

The Stephen Hawking Medal was established a decade ago under the guidance of the late Professor Stephen Hawking, who aimed to honor individuals bridging the gap between science and the public through various art forms, including music and cinema. Professor Cox expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s an immense honor to receive the Stephen Hawking Medal 2026 from STARMUS, particularly as I was alongside Stephen when this medal was first announced ten years ago.”

Cox highlighted the significance of astronomy, which he described as the oldest science, and emphasized the necessity of understanding the universe, especially in today’s divided world. “To strive to understand the Universe is more important than ever. Stephen believed in the quest for knowledge for its own sake. ‘Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet,’ was Stephen’s closing phrase from so many years ago. To me, that encapsulates everything STARMUS, science, and life represent,” he added.

The ceremony coincided with the month-long festivities leading to the Starmus VIII Festival, which promises an enriching fusion of science, music, and culture. The festival, taking place from October 17 to 22 in Tenerife, will showcase stellar performances from luminaries such as Andrea Bocelli, Sir Brian May, and Sarah Brightman, along with the Las Palmas Symphony Orchestra, Rick Wakeman, Rusanda Panfili, and the STARMUS All Stars Band. The highlight of the evening will be a special ceremony honoring Cox, including the presentation of the Stephen Hawking Medal, which acknowledges a decade of remarkable achievements in science communication.

Due to his touring commitments, Cox was unable to attend the gala event in Tenerife. Consequently, the medal was awarded during a private ceremony in London, which will be shared with festival attendees during the opening night in October. Garik Israelian remarked, “Ten years ago, Stephen Hawking helped us bring a dream to life. Today, we celebrate not only what has been achieved but also this extraordinary community that has grown around the idea that science belongs to everyone. We are thrilled to present this award to Brian Cox on this occasion.”

Brian May also commented on the significance of the medal, “The Stephen Hawking Medal was born from a shared conviction that science should inspire people far beyond the scientific community. A decade later, its message is more critical than ever. In an era where truth, evidence, and critical thinking are increasingly challenged, we take pride in honoring those who strive to share with the world the wonders and understanding that science brings.” He expressed his excitement in celebrating Cox, whose compelling presentations have radically transformed public perception of the universe.

In addition to the prestigious medal, Cox received a unique OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch crafted from 18 karat Moonshine™ gold. The awardees discussed various topics, including astronomy, humanity, music, AI, the universe, and Stephen Hawking’s enduring legacy. The 2026 Stephen Hawking Medal ceremony will be part of Starmus VIII: The Search for Truth, which emphasizes the essential connection between science and music.

For those interested, tickets for the Starmus Festival can be purchased via www.starmus.com. The Starmus Festival, a brainchild of astrophysicist Garik Israelian and musician Sir Brian May, serves as an international platform celebrating the intersection of science and art. It gathers Nobel laureates, astronauts, scientists, artists, and musicians to honor humanity’s curiosity and creative spirit. The complete list of speakers and musicians for Starmus VIII will be available on the official festival website.

About the Stephen Hawking Medal

The medal, made of bronze, features meaningful imagery on both sides. One side showcases a portrait of Stephen Hawking, created by Alexei Leonov, the first cosmonaut to conduct a spacewalk. The reverse side combines a photo of Leonov during his historical spacewalk with Brian May's iconic Red Special guitar, symbolizing the festival's philosophy of merging science, exploration, art, and music. Previous winners include renowned figures such as Christopher Nolan, Sir David Attenborough, and the creators of The Big Bang Theory.

About OMEGA and the Speedmaster Moonwatch

OMEGA, a prestigious Swiss watchmaker and part of the Swatch Group Ltd, has been synonymous with excellence, innovation, and precision since its inception in 1848. Notably, the OMEGA Speedmaster has built a reputation among astronauts and space agencies since the 1960s, including being used during all six moon landings in history. As part of its commitment to science, exploration, and the pursuit of knowledge, OMEGA has partnered with STARMUS for a decade, presenting a Speedmaster Moonwatch in gold to each Stephen Hawking Medal recipient. This year's edition features an 18-karat Moonshine™ gold case with a unique sapphire glass back engraved with a representation of the medal itself and the inscription, “WINNER OF THE STEPHEN HAWKING MEDAL FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATION.”