Judges Announced for The Conversation Prize for writers 2026 Competition
The Conversation has announced the expert judging panel for its 2026 writing prize. The competition invites academics to submit longform articles and nonfiction book proposals by July 5, 2026, offering a £1,000 cash prize, publication, and professional mentorship to the winner.
Highlights
- •The competition invites academic writers to submit longform articles and nonfiction book proposals for a public audience.
- •The judging panel includes experts from historical, innovation, and editorial backgrounds: Catherine Clarke, Tim Minshall, and Steven Vass.
- •The winner receives £1,000, publication of their work, and professional mentorship from a literary agent and publisher.
- •The final deadline for all submissions is July 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm BST.
The organizers have officially unveiled the panel of judges for The Conversation Prize for writers 2026. This prestigious competition, which serves as a platform for academics to showcase their work, is currently inviting submissions from scholars aiming to reach a broader, general audience. Participants are encouraged to submit their best longform articles and nonfiction book proposals.
The initiative offers a unique opportunity for academic writers to bridge the gap between rigorous research and public interest. The winning entry will be awarded a prize of £1,000, along with the benefit of having their work published. Furthermore, the winner will receive valuable mentorship from an established literary agent and a prominent book publisher, providing a significant boost to their professional writing career.
Distinguished Panel of Expert Judges
A panel comprising three distinguished professionals will evaluate the submissions for The Conversation Prize for writers 2026. The judges bring a wealth of academic and industry expertise to the selection process.
Catherine Clarke, a professor and director at the Centre for the History of People, Place and Community within the Institute of Historical Research, joins the panel. As a cultural historian, her work focuses on the Middle Ages, though she maintains a broad interest in identity and heritage studies. She is also the author of A History of England in 25 Poems.
Tim Minshall, the inaugural Dr John C. Taylor Professor of Innovation at the University of Cambridge, provides his expertise in the intersection of manufacturing and innovation. He heads the Institute for Manufacturing and is the author of Your Life is Manufactured: How We Make Things, Why It Matters and How We Can Do It Better.
Rounding out the panel is Steven Vass, the Senior Editor of Science Insights. With an extensive background as a media analyst and a former editor for both business and economy segments, he brings a journalist's eye to the competition. He is the author of Let the Music Play, a work focused on the evolution of 70s and 80s R&B music technology.
The competition is open to academics who can demonstrate the relevance of their research to non-expert readers. The final deadline for all entries is July 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm BST. Interested applicants must submit a 2,000-word article, a brief nonfiction book idea proposal, and a short biographical statement. Detailed instructions on submission requirements and disclosure of potential conflicts of interest are available through official channels.
This competition remains a vital avenue for experts to share their research beyond university walls. By refining complex ideas for the general public, entrants in The Conversation Prize for writers 2026 contribute significantly to public discourse and understanding across various disciplines.
