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Marc Abrahams created the Ig Nobel Prizes in 1991, after years of collecting examples of bizarre research that he included in the Log of irreproducible results. The aim of these satirical prizes is to reward achievements which “make you laugh, then think”.
Although the initial response from the scientific community was mixed, last year the prize received more than 9,000 applications. Several researchers who have earned an “Ig” say it has enhanced their careers by helping them reach a wider audience and spend more time interacting with the public about their work.
This is an audio version of our feature: How a Stupid Science Prize Changed My Career
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