Addressing a sympathetic audience at the Cheltenham Science Festival, Pearce is preaching to the converted about the reality and risks of climate change.

CNN: Climate change action: Too little, too late?

Dr Coker also plans to use her award to communicate her research to a wider audience through such events as the Cheltenham Science Festival and encourage the next generation of scientists.

UNESCO: 2011 UK and Ireland Fellows

Sponsored by the British Council in a growing number of countries, including Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria, the Fame Lab was originally launched at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the United Kingdom in 2005.

UNESCO: Science Policy and Capacity-Building