The Mutation of the “Nobel Prize in Chemistry” into the “Nobel Prize in Chemistry or Life Sciences”: Several Decades of Transparent and Opaque Evidence of Change within the Nobel Prize Program

Abstract

Over the past several decades, the Nobel Prize program has slowly but steadily been modified in both transparent and opaque ways. A transparent change has been the creation of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, officially known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. An opaque change has been the mutation of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry into what is effectively the “Nobel Prize in Chemistry or Life Sciences.” This paper presents a detailed study of this opaque change, including evidence that the disciplines of chemistry and biochemistry cover, today, intellectually quite distinct and generally scientifically‐unrelated intellectual territory. This paper supports the evolution of the Nobel Prizes, and encourages the Nobel Prize program to move from opaque to transparent change processes for the next generations of achievement in the sciences.

The Uncertain Role of Nominations for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry†

“…[4,5] Figure 1 illustrates the number of nominations received for the NPch from 1901-1970, the last year for which data is currently available for the NPch from the Nobel Prize Nomination Archive (as of December 2022), [6] a resource that is seeing more utility. [7] We posit that the composition of the nominators for specific nominees, the selectivity in which nominators are chosen, the increasing number of nominations over the years, and the disciplines [8] of the members of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry (the selection committee) suggest that nominations and nomination pressure, that is, number of nominations over several years for certain nominees, play only a partial if not uncertain role in the selection of the laureates. The purpose of our research is to evaluate that hypothesis.…”

Why Hoffmann? The Person and the Young Chemical Physicist**

“…Indeed, by 1965, perhaps Hoffmann was no longer viewed as a chemical physicist. Perhaps the slice of the physical chemistry/chemical physics academic community modified their view of Hoffmann's future, or his place in their department, by “going organic.” Disciplinary identifications and the protection of disciplinary turf are serious components in the social construction of knowledge and its award system [129] . In any case, Hoffmann accepted Cornell and as he recalled, “Cornell felt good.” [90]…”

“…Disciplinary identifications and the protection of disciplinary turf are serious components in the social construction of knowledge and its award system. [129] In any case, Hoffmann accepted Cornell and as he recalled, "Cornell felt good." [90] Another thema of Hoffmann's story is the discussion of molecules via theoretical, quantum mechanical models, even if some of those molecules do not and never can exist in nature.…”

Duisberg Memorial Award: F. Schacher / Gmelin–Beilstein Memorial Medal: G. Restrepo / Ostwald Early Career Award: J. Meisner / Baizer Award: S. Waldvogel

“…He uses mathematical and computational modelling of innovation in chemistry at the level of reaction conditions, molecular structures, substances and classes of reactions and of substances. Restrepo has published Essays on the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (or Life Sciences) in Angewandte Chemie and on challenges for the periodic system of elements in Chemistry—A European Journal .…”