Online Creative Writing lecturer wins Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize
30 September 2026
Earlier this year, Falmouth’s award-winning BA(Hons) Creative Writing (Online) lecturer, science journalist and adventurer Dr Kit Chapman released The Age of Alchemy: How Early Innovators Shaped Modern Chemistry.
Described by BBC History Magazine as a ‘globetrotting, time-travelling account of the roots of chemistry’ and ‘the most enjoyable introduction to alchemy I have ever read’ by Phil Ball (How Life Works), Kit’s newest release reveals the illuminating stories of how alchemists first broke new ground and shaped the scientific method. Taking readers on a global quest through time and continents to discover the untold history of chemistry, The Age of Alchemy recounts the shift from the magical to the scientific.
“All too often the history of science is told as a list of great men, almost always white Europeans, from the 18th century onward,” Kit shared, when asked what inspired the release. “I wanted to show science belongs to everyone, and it's only from the sweat and toil of thousands of men and women, from every country and strata of society, that we got to where we are today.”
Now, Kit’s exploration of the Stone Age leatherworkers, Tang Dynasty herbalists and Mayan stoneworkers has won this year’s Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize. Celebrating the best popular science writing from across the globe, Kit’s book was one of only six titles shortlisted, before he won the prize.
“It feels astonishing, and a great honour to win,” Kit reflected. “This is the top prize in the world for my field, so I'm still trying to take it all in! The Royal Society has so many great names associated with it, and to join the likes of Bill Bryson and Stephen Hawking is incredible. I'm so grateful for the support I've had at Falmouth, particularly from Jennifer Young, David Devanny and the rest of the writing and journalism team.”
Mike Benton FRS, Chair of the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize 2026 judging panel, said: “Kit Chapman shows us that the birth of chemistry was the cumulative feat of centuries of forgers, distillers and fermenters from across the globe, not just a select few that appear in text books, nor indeed, on the Royal Society's walls. Many of the fundamental discoveries in chemistry were people simply making a living through metallurgy, making medicines and occasionally seeking mythical ways to make gold. This is a wonderfully eclectic book that could re-write the way chemistry is taught in schools.”
Writer and historian Subhadra Das, one of this year’s judges, added how The Age of Alchemy is “a fun and engaging reminder that science has always been a global endeavour.” She shared: “There’s a sadly common notion that science is for everyone but not done by everyone; one great thing about this book is how it goes about correcting that mistake.”
External links
Purchase your copy of The Age of Alchemy: How Early Innovators Shaped Modern Chemistry
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