This award aims to recognise an individual who has made a standout contribution to the field of health communications writing and can demonstrate their impact. Through the application of their craft and personal passion, they have used their expertise to make their content impactful and relevant, as demonstrated by examples. But moreover, they can show how they are leading their discipline from the front – innovating in shaping the definition of what it means to be an effective health communications writer in today’s landscape and supporting their peers/ clients/ colleagues to do the same.
Entries are invited from professionals who have been in a writing role for at least three years within an agency, in-house, NGO, medical society or patient advocacy group. Experience can be more generalist in nature or highly specialised (i.e., focused on scientific/medical, creative, patient/public, corporate, policy, or technical writing).
To be the writer of the year, the candidate may already have:
- A portfolio of experience in writing across different deliverables, with evidence of the impact that these projects have made to improving health knowledge, behaviour or outcomes
- Been a passionate team player with endorsements from fellow teammates
- Made a demonstrable difference to their company and/or the industry – for example involved in delivering substantial training programmes, or innovating in the use of new tools to enhance writing
- Represented their profession more widely on contemporary topics and discussions as a thought leader under their own steam – for example, at key industry events, authoring articles or active participation in social media dialogue and forums
- Stood out among their peers
Entries will only be accepted directly from the individuals themselves OR from the employer, and by signing their entry, they certify that all information provided is fair and, above all, accurate.
Candidates should be careful when making claims to avoid overstatement of their involvement in any programme or activity.
It should be apparent from the CV provided and the description of the career to date that you have been working in relevant writing roles for three years or more. Judges reserve the right to exclude entries.
PLEASE READ the judging criteria and judges’ top tips before developing your entry. Shortlisted entrants will be invited to present to an independent judging panel on 22ndMay 2026. They will be required to give a short presentation on their entry and will then be asked questions by the judges relating to their entry and their career to date. The organisers will be unable to send invitations before 8thMay, therefore it is advisable for entrants to hold the date open.
