The Unwin Award 2026 shortlist has been revealed, with six non-fiction writers recognised for making a significant contribution to the world through their work.
Worth £10,000, the award celebrates authors in the earlier stages of their careers. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at The Royal Institution in London on 21 April 2026.
Administered by The Publishers Association, the Unwin Award champions the value of UK publishing on the global stage.
Who Is on the Unwin Award 2026 Shortlist?
The six writers shortlisted for the Unwin Award 2026 are:
Hannah Barnes
Carrie Gracie
Hannah Ritchie
Frances Ryan
Keon West
Sarah Wynn-Williams
Together, the shortlist reflects themes including equality, gender politics, sustainability, diversity and technology.
Investigative Journalism and Gender Politics
Hannah Barnes was praised for her “courageous, thorough and engaging writing” on one of the most sensitive topics in modern Britain.
Carrie Gracie, a former BBC China editor, was recognised for her work tackling the gender pay gap and for inspiring others to challenge inequality.
The judging panel said her writing emboldens readers to ask difficult questions.
Sustainability and Data-Driven Optimism
Hannah Ritchie, a senior researcher at the University of Oxford and deputy editor at Our World in Data, was commended for offering an optimistic but evidence-based view of the world.
Her work was praised for reshaping how readers think about sustainability and global development.
Disability Rights and Social Justice
Frances Ryan, columnist at The Guardian, was recognised for writing that gives readers resilience and visibility.
Her work addresses disability, austerity and social justice.
The Science of Racism and Power
Keon West, a social psychologist and visiting professor at the London School of Economics, was shortlisted for making the science of racism accessible and practical.
Meanwhile, Sarah Wynn-Williams was praised for her gripping account of power and culture inside one of the world’s most influential technology companies.
Ceremony at The Royal Institution
The Unwin Award 2026 winner will be announced on 21 April 2026 in London.
The judging panel is chaired by Claudia Hammond, alongside Sarfraz Manzoor and Caroline Sanderson.
Last year’s inaugural winner, Caroline Criado-Perez, will deliver the 2026 Unwin Award Lecture at the ceremony.
Dan Conway, CEO of The Publishers Association, described the shortlist as “a fascinating showcase of the impact of publishing on the world”.
The award is supported by the Unwin Charitable Trust.
