Bristol Festival of Ideas Prize Evening 2012: winners announced

Date posted: 22 May 12

Bristol Festival of Ideas announced today the winners of the Bristol Genius Award – for the best Bristol idea – and the Foyles Best Book of Ideas prize 2012 at a ceremony in St George’s Bristol.

The first Bristol Genius Award was given to Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (Children of the 90s): a long-term research project that is assisting scientists all over the world with research into a wide range of health problems.

Andrew Kelly, director of the festival, said today:

‘The Bristol Genius Awards highlight the huge strengths this city has in ideas and the brilliance of people here. The Children of the 90s project has already saved many lives and provides policy makers worldwide with important data to make lives better for many. It’s the perfect winner of our inaugural award.’

The award was accepted by Lynn Molloy, ALSPAC’s Executive Director. Before the award was announced there were presentations by five of the short-listed projects.

The 2012 Foyles/ Festival of Ideas Best Book of Ideas was awarded to Edgelands by Paul Farley and Michael Symmons Roberts. After the announcement Paul and Michael joined the award judges Wendy Larner and Dan Hind, and Julian Baggini for an on-stage discussion.

Jonathan Ruppin, Foyles web editor, said today:

‘An engrossing and witty exploration of the hinterland beyond urban glamour and rural tranquillity, Edgelands exposes the startling wonder and resonant history of the landscapes we usually traverse so unthinkingly. In the first year of Foyles sponsorship, it’s an ideal winner, as it surprises readers with insights into worlds that they might not even have known existed.’

A third award – for the book of ideas that has made most impact over 50 years (first published in 1962) – was made to Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring.