This year, the ESET Science Award will once again reward scientists who bring new knowledge and enrich the public debate with facts and verified information. For the first time, personalities from the social sciences and humanities are also presented among the finalists. The Slovak Academy of Sciences is again strongly represented in this year’s award. The award ceremony will take place on 9 October 2025.
The ESET Science Award entered its seventh year with a novelty. For the first time, the award is also open to scientists from the social sciences and humanities, who help to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of how society works. At the same time, the ESET Foundation wants to emphasize that excellent research is created across all scientific disciplines.
The theme of this year’s edition is the idea “Science as a pillar of trust”. It highlights the key role of science in fostering trust in facts and truthful knowledge. At a time when facts in society are increasingly being questioned, science brings proven procedures on how to approach reality. Transparency, objectivity and consistent verification of facts are among the basic principles of scientific work, which can also be an inspiration for the wider society.
The laureates of the three categories – Outstanding Personality of Science in Slovakia, Outstanding Personality of Science under 35 and Outstanding Personality of Higher Education – will be selected by expert committees, while the first two categories will be decided by an international committee. ESET Science Award laureates are awarded on the basis of a comprehensive evaluation process. Not only their scientific contribution and measurable scientometric data are evaluated, but also their participation in international research projects or the visibility of Slovak science and research abroad. In addition, the use of innovative teaching approaches, pedagogical skills and feedback from their students are monitored for university teachers.
So who represent our workplace? Who are we proud of, who do we congratulate and keep our fingers crossed for?
Finalists of the Outstanding Personality of Science category under 35 years of age
Daniela Vacek is a philosopher focusing on the ethics of artificial intelligence, analytical aesthetics and philosophical logic. She works as a researcher at the Department of Analytical Philosophy at the Institute of Philosophy of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. and at the Department of Logic and Methodology of Sciences of the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University in Bratislava.
source: Eset Science Award, Faculty of Arts SAS
