Ig Nobel
Ig Nobel in de Nobel: research that makes you laugh and think
- Date
- Thursday 11 June 2026
- Time
- Address
- Nobel
Marktsteeg 8
2312 CS Leiden
Some scientific studies make people laugh, and then think. The most surprising and amusing ones win an Ig Nobel Prize. Marc Abrahams (founder and MC of the annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony) explains what it takes to win this much-coveted prize and highlights his favorites from 35 years of award-winning research, such as ‘Self-colonoscopy in the sitting position’, ‘Airborne wasabi as a fire alarm’ and ‘Sword swallowing and its side-effects’.
Five Ig Nobel laureates talk about their winning achievements:
- Mirjam Tuk (Medicine Prize, 2011): decision making with a full and empty bladder;
- Antoine Deblais & Sander Woutersen (Chemistry Prize, 2024): using chromatography to separate drunk and sober worms;
- Ida Sabelis (Medicine Prize, 2000): sex in an MRI scanner – imaging male and female genitals in action;
- Kees Moeliker (Biology Prize, 2003): documenting homosexual necrophilia in the mallard duck.
For local flavor, four prominent Leiden scientists (TBA) will give 24/7 Lectures about their favorite topic: first a full technical description in 24 seconds and then a 7-word summary that anyone can understand. Keira Lee Rice will live-illustrate the event. Time limits will be strictly enforced by the Bananas.
