Mark Pearce on the work behind the Nobel Prize in Physics
From research on black holes and space instrumentation to the Nobel Prize in Physics. Mark Pearce is Professor of Astroparticle Physics at KTH and Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics. We met with him to talk about the Nobel selection process, the importance of science, and the Nobel Week experience.
You became a member of the Nobel Committee in 2023 and are now its Chair. How did that come about?
“I joined the committee in 2023 after a recommendation by the Physics Class at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA). I was elected to KVA in 2020. It was a great honour to be asked, and I gladly accepted. The role of Chair circulates around the committee members, and this year it was my turn. The work continues throughout the year. We review hundreds of nominations, consult experts, write reports, and discuss prize areas and candidates in depth before the Academy makes the final decision. All the work is shrouded in secrecy! The discussions require a lot of preparation but are incredibly stimulating.”
What has been the most rewarding aspect of the role?
"Gaining an overview of the entire field of physics. I get the opportunity to explore research far beyond my own area of expertise, which is both challenging and inspiring."
What happens on the day the Nobel Prize is announced, and what is it like to be part of the Nobel ceremony?
“It's an intense day. The formal decision is made by the Academy that very morning, and the Prize is announced shortly afterwards. There is a lot of media interest, of course, and many interviews. During the Prize ceremony at Konserthuset in December, the committee sits on the stage behind the King of Sweden. This was a somewhat surreal experience at first! Nobel Week also provides opportunities to meet many people you would otherwise never have encountered.”
What significance does the Nobel Prize in Physics have?
“The Nobel Prize is a celebration of science and the advancement of knowledge. It often highlights the importance of long-term research. Many of today's technological advances are built on fundamental research that was once driven simply by curiosity. According to the will of Alfred Nobel, the Physics Prize can be awarded for a discovery or an invention which has conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.”