In a convergence of literary genres, poet Arthur Sze’s “The Glass Constellation,” Novuyo Rosa Tshuma’s novel “Digging Stars,” and Brad Fox’s nonfiction work “The Bathysphere Book: Effects of the Luminous Ocean Depths” have emerged as this year’s recipients of the Science + Literature awards. Administered by the National Book Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, each author will receive a $10,000 prize for their distinctive contributions to the intersection of science and literature.
The announcement, made jointly by the two foundations, underscores the unique qualities that distinguish these works while emphasizing their collective role in enhancing readers’ comprehension of science and technology. Importantly, the selections are noted for amplifying the diversity of voices within contemporary science and technology writing.
Anthony Hyland, an author, poet, and recorded spoken word artist, discussed with The Epoch Times the importance of expanding comprehension of science and technology. “Science and technology are important to my work as an artist as citations and imagery matter. We have a responsibility to ensure that we are utilizing accurate information in our pieces.”
While Fox’s “The Bathysphere Book” aligns most directly with the realm of science, all three honorees draw inspiration from scientific principles and the natural world. In “Digging Stars,” Tshuma crafts a narrative around a Zimbabwean astronomer, delving into familial legacies and professional pursuits. Arthur Sze, a previous National Book Award winner for poetry in 2019, explores themes of nature and the cosmos in “The Glass Constellation,” evident in verses like “The tide ebbs and reveals orange and purple sea stars/I have no theory of radiance/but after rain evaporates/off pine needles, the needles glisten.”
The formal recognition of these authors will take place during a ceremony on March 27 in downtown Manhattan. Ruth Dickey, the executive director of the National Book Foundation, expressed admiration for the “deeply researched and inventive selections,” noting that the works exemplify the vital connection between science, technology, and the arts in our daily lives.
Doron Weber, the vice president and program director at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, highlighted the storytellers’ ability to illuminate the complex inner lives of characters while exploring the mysteries of the external world, spanning from the ocean to the cosmos and across diverse geographical landscapes like Japan and Zimbabwe.
Established in 2022 through a three-year, $525,000 grant from the Sloan Foundation, the Science + Literature program has played a pivotal role in supporting books that bridge the gap between science and the arts. The grant, now in its final year, awaits a vote in March for potential renewal. Doron Weber expressed satisfaction with the program’s outcomes thus far and hopes for continued support.
Mr. Hyland told The Epoch Times: “ Grants like these break the mold for both writers and performers alike in providing financial support to match the artists’ work to their compensation. Having poetry added to places like The Grammys and more grant opportunities are aiding in allowing more artists to be properly recognized for their work as well.”
A distinguished panel of authors and scientists, including evolutionary biologist Shane Campbell-Staton, poet Brian Teare, and committee chair Ricardo Nuila, made the selections. The Science + Literature program, designed to deepen public understanding of science and technology, identifies three books annually without publisher submissions. Eligible books, spanning any genre, must have been published in the United States within the last three years. The chosen authors not only receive the $10,000 prize but also become integral to national public programming, fostering discourse, understanding, and engagement with science across diverse communities.
