Professor Hannah Fry Wins 2026 Leelavati Prize for Mathematics Outreach

Professor Hannah Fry awarded the Leelavati Prize for public outreach

Professor Hannah Fry has been awarded the Leelavati Prize at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) for her outstanding contributions to increasing the public awareness of mathematics. The prize recognizes Fry's ability to translate complex mathematical concepts into a "language of wonder and relevance" for a global audience without diminishing the subject's scope or importance.

Hannah Fry serves as the Professor of the Public Understanding of Mathematics in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) at the University of Cambridge, a role she first assumed in January 2025.

The Leelavati Prize and the International Congress of Mathematicians

The Leelavati Prize is awarded every four years by the International Mathematical Union (IMU) and announced during the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM). The ICM is a global gathering of thousands of mathematicians that celebrates modern mathematics and serves as the venue for the field's most prestigious awards, including the Fields Medals.

The prize is named after the 12th-century mathematical treatise Lilavati, written by the Indian mathematician Bhāskara II (also known as Bhaskara Achārya). The original work, which focused on arithmetic, algebra, and the decimal system, was written in verse form as a series of problems posed to a person named Leelavati.

A multidisciplinary approach to science communication

Professor Fry's impact spans academia, mainstream media, and digital platforms. Her work is characterized by a philosophy that the primary barrier to understanding mathematics is not ability, but a lack of motivation to care.

Academic and Media Recognition

Fry has received numerous honors across different sectors:

• Academic Awards: The Christopher Zeeman Medal (2018) and the Royal Society’s David Attenborough Award (2024).
• Media Awards: An Emmy in 2025 for an episode of The Future with Hannah Fry exploring quantum computing, and a Webby Award in 2026 for the podcast The Rest is Science, co-presented with Michael Stevens.
• Digital Influence: Named by Time as one of the 100 most influential digital creators of 2026, with a following of over 2 million on Instagram.

Educational Outreach

Fry actively engages with students across all levels. In 2019, she delivered the televised Ri Christmas Lectures to hundreds of schoolchildren. More recently, she conducted the annual Rouse Ball lecture and hosted mathematics communication workshops for Cambridge undergraduates.

Community Insights and Impact

Discussion among the technical and scientific community highlights the practical application and accessibility of Fry's work.

Notable Projects

Community members frequently cited specific works as examples of her effectiveness:

• Contagion (2018): A program that modeled a virus outbreak in Haslemere, UK, using Bluetooth proximity data to track movement.
• The Rest is Science: A podcast praised for its "listenability" and ability to make complex topics entertaining.
• Algorithm Analysis: Professional audiences have noted her ability to communicate the risks and mechanics of algorithms in a way that is both "brilliant" and "thoughtful."

Perspectives on Communication Style

Observers note that Fry's success stems from her ability to create a "hole in people’s imagination," providing a specific piece of information that fulfills a craving for knowledge. As one community member noted:

"She has an actor's control of her countenance, which allows her control over that mischievous, slightly conspiratorial tone she uses when she wants you to know something really fun."

While some users questioned why other prominent educators like 3Blue1Brown or Numberphile were not selected, others pointed out that Fry's unique position as a professor and a mainstream broadcaster bridges the gap between formal academia and public entertainment.