CORDIScovery podcast wins European Excellence Award
Every month since February 2021, the European Commission’s CORDIScovery podcast has been turning complex science into ideas that anyone can follow. Its endeavours have now been rewarded. As we go about our daily lives, we often take for granted the advances improving our existence, not sparing much thought for the scientists across Europe working diligently in the background. These researchers spend years exploring the past, analysing the present and creating a better future for us, but if we do happen to hear of one or two intriguing results, their work and its intricacies often go right over our heads. This is where CORDIScovery comes in. In engaging monthly conversations with leading experts in their fields, it explores cutting-edge EU-funded research in an accessible way, highlighting its impact on us and the world around us. On Friday 5 December 2025, this invaluable service earned the podcast the European Excellence Award in the ‘Podcast & Audio’(opens in new window) category.
Making science simple
Since its launch in February 2021, the podcast has tackled diverse topics ranging from biodiversity and the future of aviation, to microbial resistance and space exploration. It has now reached the 52nd episode, continuing to explore ideas across disciplines in a way that is easy for all audiences to follow. “To date, we have given 156 researchers and innovators the chance to tell non-expert listeners why what they are doing matters,” comments CORDIScovery producer and host Abigail Acton. “My guests very frequently tell me how refreshing it is to have the opportunity to reach people beyond their professional circles. This award goes to them, and to my forthcoming guests who’ll be talking about their work on keeping our brains healthy as we age, and innovations in the wine industry.” Acton, who has hosted all the episodes, adds: “I get to talk to clever, passionate people doing wild and wonderful things, like training bees to fly through tiny hoops or working out how to protect us from an asteroid collision. Hosting CORDIScovery is a privilege. I’m just keen to see what amazing things my guests are up to in 2026!” The European Excellence Awards were created to honour communications professionals’ most outstanding achievements in their field. The jury is comprised of reputable communications specialists. For this 19th edition, there were 52 categories and 260 shortlisted nominees. What lies ahead for the CORDIScovery podcast? Next week, a stimulating episode looks at AI and how it helps us to reduce the risks of stroke and biothreats, as well as bring to light undiscovered stories and societal issues of the past. In January, a special podcast miniseries will be released featuring EU-funded projects that participated in the European Research and Innovation Days back in September. The topics covered are waste, mobility, soil and oceans, AI and the future of healthcare.