Congratulations to Professor Hannah Fry, awarded the Leelavati Prize at the International Congress of Mathematicians in 2026 for her outstanding work raising public awareness of mathematics. Fry is Professor of the Public Understanding of Mathematics in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) at the University of Cambridge, the first person to hold this role since joining in January 2025. As a broadcaster, author, podcaster and social media star, she is among the UK’s most recognisable science communicators.

The prize citation called her “one of the foremost global ambassadors for mathematical thinking,” noting that her voice “resonates far beyond the usual science‑communication audience.” Through books, videos and television, Fry has translated mathematics into a language of wonder without diluting its depth. She said, “When you enjoy maths yourself, you experience the absolute joy of it… I feel as if I have gossip to share.”

The Leelavati Prize, awarded every four years by the International Mathematical Union, highlights Fry’s achievements alongside other honours such as the 2018 Christopher Zeeman Medal, the 2024 Royal Society David Attenborough Award, a 2025 Emmy, and a 2026 Webby Award. With over 2 million Instagram followers, Time named her one of the 100 most influential digital creators of 2026.