Hannah Fry Wins the Leelavati Prize in 2026 for Mathematics Outreach

Mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry has been awarded the Leelavati Prize at the International Congress of Mathematicians for outstanding contributions to increasing public awareness of mathematics, the University of Cambridge announced. The prize, awarded every four years by the International Mathematical Union, recognizes Fry's work across books, videos, television programs and social media. The citation describes her as one of the foremost global ambassadors for mathematical thinking who translates mathematics into a language of wonder and relevance without diminishing its scope. Fry is Professor of the Public Understanding of Mathematics in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, a role she assumed in January 2025. Fry said she feels compelled to share the joy of mathematics because it reveals wonderful secrets invisible to non-mathematicians. She said the key to connecting with a wide audience is to create a hole in people's imagination that makes them want to know the next bit. Professor Nick Dorey, head of the department, said few people have contributed more to communicating mathematical ideas to the public. The award adds to honors including the Christopher Zeeman Medal in 2018, the Royal Society's David Attenborough Award in 2024, an Emmy in 2025 and a Webby Award in 2026. Time named her one of the 100 most influential digital creators of 2026.