Celebrating 20 years of science books through the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Book Awards

By Milana Madzarac   •   May 9, 2026

SWCC News

Marie Curie once remarked, “I am among those who think that science has great beauty.” One powerful way to showcase that beauty is through storytelling.

Storytelling is as old as humans have existed. Preceded by oral traditions around the world, the earliest known written story is The Epic of Gilgamesh from ancient Mesopotamia, that dates back to the 7th century BC. Historians believe its influences shaped famous works including The Iliad, The Odyssey and The Old Testament. Stories have always been how we make sense of the world, and that continues to remain true today.

Studies show that reading can help reduce stress, strengthen memory and brain connectivity, expand vocabulary, promote deep focus, and sharpen analytical skills. In an era where we’re flooded with digital information, books offer something deeper: sustained attention, depth and wonder.

(photo by cottonbro studio via Pexels)

Science books, in particular, transform complex ideas into accessible understanding, spark curiosity in young readers, and help build a deeper understanding of the world around us. They remind us that science is not just data and discovery, but is rooted in human connection.

This belief has driven the SWCC Book Awards to celebrate science writers and authors who bring the beauty of science to life, one book at a time.

Connecting Science with Storytelling

For more than 20 years, the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada (SWCC) has celebrated excellence in science writing through its annual Book Awards. Each year, the SWCC’s Book Awards Committee Chairs selects a panel of judges to read and discuss the variety of science books submitted.

“The SWCC Book Awards provide vital recognition for Canadian science writers,” says Jennifer Cox, a past judge liaison volunteer with the committee. “I saw firsthand how committed SWCC members are to building awareness of the incredible selection of books that Canadian science writers publish each year.”

Authored by scientists, professors, industry professionals, science enthusiasts and storytellers, the SWCC Book Awards Committee accepts nominations for books on a variety of topics and formats, with the goal of not only promoting science writing, but to encourage science reading.

The shortlisted titles from the 2025 SWCC Book Awards.

As one of the largest science communication organizations which support professional science journalists, writers and communicators across the country, the SWCC lends the expertise of its members to recognize Canadian talent in this field.

"SWCC is the ideal organization to run this competition because of its deep commitment to recognizing excellence in science communication for readers of all ages,” says current SWCC Book Awards volunteer, Sherestha Saini. “I am proud to play a small role in amplifying the voices of Canadian authors who write science books”.

Jennifer Cox, past Book Awards judge liason (left); Sherestha Saini, 2026 Book Awards volunteer (right).

The SWCC Book Awards has earned national recognition across the Canadian publishing and academic landscape. Notable organizations citing the awards include the Canadian Children's Book Centre, Publishers Archive, leading industry publication Quill & Quire, and Queen's University, reflecting the award's growing credibility among national book industry media, academic institutions, and publishing platforms.

SWCC distributes a semi-annual newsletter to publishers and partner organizations sharing the authors and books. SWCC Book Awards winners are also encouraged to promote their recognition. A notable example is Shohini Ghose’s Her Space, Her Time, whose paperback edition, published by Penguin Random House Canada, features the 2023 SWCC Book Awards win.

Running the Book Awards

Over the past few years, upwards of 50 to 65 books have been submitted per awards cycle. Of these entries, the judges announce a selection of shortlisted titles for the Youth and General reading categories at the annual SWCC Conference. These candidates which are then reviewed and narrowed down to a single winner per category, which is announced later in the fall via social media. The winners from each category are awarded with a $1,000 prize.

"The SWCC Book Awards provide vital recognition for Canadian science writers."

Jennifer Cox, past judge liaison volunteer, SWCC Book Awards Committee

As of 2021, SWCC has also awarded the Paradigm Prize for Underrepresented Perspectives in Science Writing. The Prize recognizes first-time authors, an author-illustrator pairing from equity-seeking or underrepresented backgrounds, or works published by a small press or independent publisher.

While the General and Youth categories have a single winner within a defined category, the Paradigm Prize recipient is chosen from among the shortlist of finalists for the two main categories and may be awarded in addition to another prize. Winners of the Paradaigm Prize are awarded $500.

"[The SWCC Book Awards] recognizes the importance of Canadian science literature and celebrates the writers whose unique ability to translate complex research into accessible, engaging content helps us to see and understand the world in a different way," says Cox.

Running a national book competition

While many of the Book Awards judges are avid readers, this competition wouldn't be possible without the Book Awards Committee volunteers who are responsible for reviewing the submissions, reading through an impossible number of books and making the difficult decision of choosing one book per award.

“Volunteering for the SWCC Annual Book Awards has been such a rewarding experience!" notes Sunita LeGallou, another Book Awards volunteer. "It is incredible to see how much work goes into putting on a competition like this... It's a delight and an honor to uplift great science books.”

In addition to their work behind the scenes, a book booth, set up by the Book Awards volunteers, is present at the SWCC annual conference, enticing attendees with a book giveaway in exchange for a post on social media. 

Book Awards volunteers at the 2025 SWCC Conference with book bundles to be won through the social media give away.

“Volunteering for the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada has been a meaningful experience for me because I get to work with a group of people who are committed to making science visible and accessible to everyone." says Saini.

Interested in learning more about the Book Awards and previous winners? Visit our Book Awards webpage.

Want to collaborate with the Book Awards Committee? Reach out via email.

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