By Matúš Beňo

Copyright sme

The 7th edition of the ESET Science Award is approaching. Established to recognise scientists who generate new knowledge, the award this year is opening its doors to all disciplines for the first time. That means researchers from the humanities and social sciences are now eligible alongside those from natural sciences, technology, and medicine.

Previously, these fields were excluded because, as a technology company, ESET was more closely connected with technical and natural sciences. However, the company says recent developments — including the pandemic, the influence of social media, and the relativisation of facts — have highlighted the crucial role of the humanities and social sciences. Tackling such challenges, it argues, requires an interdisciplinary approach.

Reflecting this shift, the theme of this year’s award is “science as a pillar of trust.”

The award ceremony will take place on October 9, with winners announced in three categories: Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia, Outstanding Scientist Under 35, Outstanding Higher Education Scientist. An international committee will select the winners in the first two categories.

Finalists – Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia

Vladimíra Kurincová Čavojová, psychologist researching scientific thinking, cognitive errors, and unfounded beliefs.Zuzana Gdovinová, neurologist focusing on cerebrovascular diseases.Martin Kahanec, economist studying labour markets, migration, and public policy.Karol Marhold, botanist specialising in plant taxonomy, polyploidy (cells with more than two paired chromosome sets), and biodiversity informatics.Adam Tomašových, palaeobiologist and geologist researching macroecology and marine ecosystems.

Finalists – Outstanding Scientist Under 35

Ivan Kontuľ, physicist who has advanced accelerator mass spectrometry and radiocarbon analysis at Comenius University.Pavol Matlovič, astrophysicist studying small Solar System bodies, with a focus on the chemical composition, origins, and diversity of meteors.Akansha Mehta, material chemist researching the transformation of industrial waste into advanced materials for environmental, energy, and glass technologies.Jakub Šrol, psychologist studying the socio-psychological causes and consequences of belief in conspiracy theories.Daniela Vacek, philosopher researching AI ethics, analytical aesthetics, and philosophical logic.

Finalists – Outstanding Higher Education Scientist

Michaela Kostičová, researcher studying social determinants of health, especially among adolescents and marginalised communities.Pavel Segeč, expert on computer networks, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.Ľubomír Švorc, chemist developing methods for detecting and analysing biologically active substances, in collaboration with students.Juraj Tóth, astrophysicist focusing on small Solar System bodies, teaching astronomy and astrophysics, and engaging in public science communication.Adriana Zeleňáková, researcher studying nanoparticle magnetism.