Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 RCPath Science Communication Prize, Dr Sophie-Rose Ndifrekeabasi Ekitok and Dr Stephen Hibbs!
The competition aims to cultivate awareness among pathology trainees, foundation doctors and undergraduates about the importance of public engagement, and recognise those who have undertaken sustained high-quality science communication activities.
There are 2 categories: Trainee; and Undergraduate, which is open to undergraduates and foundation doctors. Dr Sophie-Rose Ndifrekeabasi Ekitok has won the Undergraduate prize for her work to design and deliver a free public health education programme in British Sign Language for Deaf adults across Greater Manchester. Sophie-Rose carried out this work whilst she was a second year foundation doctor at the Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust, and she is now ST1 histopathologist at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Stephen Hibbs is the winner of the Trainee category, for his role as co-founder of the Sickle Cell Theatre Collective and co-producer of the theatre show, Crescent Cell, Sickle Moon. You can find out more about this production here. Stephen is a Haematology Registrar and HARP Doctoral Research Fellow at Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary University of London
L-R: Mojisola Adebayo (playwright), Gail Babb (director), Estella Daniels (co-producer and associate director), Kofi Amankwah (co-producer), Dr Stephen Hibbs (co-producer, haematologist, and researcher and winner of the 2026 RCPath Science Communication Prize (Trainee category))
This year the judges also decided to award a prize to a runner up in the Undergraduate category, in order to recognise the achievements of an entrant who particularly stood out. This was awarded to Elizabeth Johnson, a veterinary medicine and science undergraduate student at the University of Surrey, in recognition of her stand up science comedy work.
We received a record number of entries to the competition this year. Entries were judged by Professor Angharad Davies, RCPath Clinical Director of Publishing and Engagement, and Dr Noha El Sakka, RCPath Vice President for Communications.
Sophie-Rose and Stephen will each receive £500 and, along with Elizabeth, will be invited to accept a certificate at the College's New Fellows Ceremony, which will be awarded by representatives of Sonic Healthcare UK. Sonic Healthcare UK is proud to support the RCPath Science Communication Prize, and has done so since 2022.
The 2027 RCPath Science Communication Prize will open in Spring 2027; details will be posted on our website.
Interview with Sophie-Rose Ekitok, winner of the Undergraduate category
If there is a topic you care about, this competition is a great opportunity to raise awareness of an issue that's important to you and contribute to conversations within healthcare. You do not need to be an expert or have lots of spare time.
How do you feel about winning this year’s RCPath Science Communication Prize?
I was genuinely surprised and incredibly honoured to win this year's RCPath Science Communication Prize. It means a great deal knowing that the judges found my contribution to a local Deaf community meaningful and valuable. This project came from a passion for improving communication and healthcare accessibility so having that work recognised is both humbling and encouraging. I am very grateful for the opportunity and proud that an issue I care deeply about has been given a wider platform.
Why did you enter this year's competition?
I entered the competition because I am passionate about reducing health inequalities and improving access to healthcare, particularly for Deaf patients. Effective communication is essential for safe and compassionate care, yet many Deaf patients still face barriers when accessing healthcare services. I saw this competition as an opportunity to raise awareness among medical colleagues and highlight the importance of creating a more inclusive healthcare system. It was also a chance to advocate for positive change and encourage conversations that can help improve patients' experiences.
What would you say to anyone who is considering entering this competition?
I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone thinking about entering to go for it. When I submitted my project I was a foundation year two doctor, working full-time, and this was something I completed alongside my clinical commitments. I never expected it to receive this level of recognition, which made the experience even more special. If there is a topic you care about, this competition is a great opportunity to raise awareness of an issue that's important to you and contribute to conversations within healthcare. You do not need to be an expert or have lots of spare time. I was genuinely surprised by the outcome and it showed me that even a small project can have a meaningful impact and be recognised by others.
Interview with Dr Stephen Hibbs, winner of the Trainee category
How do you feel about winning this year’s RCPath Science Communication Prize?
I am very grateful that our work in the Sickle Cell Theatre Collective has been recognised in this way. Being involved in the theatre collective and producing Crescent Cell, Sickle Moon has been one of the most transformative experiences of my career. I had the opportunity to co-create the production with an incredible group of creative professionals, including people living with sickle cell. Drawing on lived experience and ethnographic research from the Exploring Practices of Care during Sickle Cell Crises (EPOC4) study, we created a theatre production that illuminates pain, trust, race and care. I am grateful to everyone who was involved in the research study and in every part of the theatre production. I’m proud that the award recognises what we created together.
I hope this recognition will help us build partnerships for that next chapter, and the prize money will contribute towards it. I also hope our experience encourages other healthcare staff to explore what creative collaboration can make possible.
Why did you enter this year's competition?
I entered this year’s competition to spread the word about this remarkable production and the collaboration behind it. Nearly 1500 people saw the play across 21 performances in Liverpool and London in 2026, and our hope is that this is just the beginning. We want to take the play to new places and audiences, share experiences that are too rarely represented on stage, and use it to catalyse better care. I hope this recognition will help us build partnerships for that next chapter, and the prize money will contribute towards it. I also hope our experience encourages other healthcare staff to explore what creative collaboration can make possible.
What would you say to anyone who is considering entering this competition?
Go for it. There is so much good work out there to be done in science communication. Notice what you are passionate about changing, and find allies who bring different knowledge and creative skills. Listen carefully to the people whose experiences are at the heart of the work and involve them in shaping it from the beginning. Be willing to let the collaboration change your own assumptions. And embrace ways of communicating that go beyond the formats we are used to within medicine.
Thank you to all those who entered the 2026 Science Communication Prize and thank you to our sponsors, Sonic Healthcare UK.
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