In 2001, Cultures of Creativity: The Centennial Exhibition of the Nobel Prize[1] was published. This book explores the variety of creativity of Nobel Prize recipients in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace and economic sciences. Creative processes and 'milieus' for innovation are illustrated via brief stories, artefacts and a wide range of photographs.
Globally, the Nobel Prize famously rewards and encourages 'invention', 'discovery', 'improvement'.[2] The Awards annually celebrate the stellar efforts of people from whose efforts we all benefit.
Some will pursue just a single aspect of an idea for months, years or decades, until the 'new thing' emerges. Not uncommonly, this occurs after many attempts. Other times a chance occurrence may deliver insights or new approaches very swiftly or in unexpected ways.
These innovators connect fragments of thought not evident to others. In a world frequently swamped with 'conflicting and emotionally charged...disinformation',[3] we may be encouraged by such tenacious commitment to finding truth.
Perhaps we can be grateful the word 'tru' sustains some currency through its popularity in texting as a shortened version of 'true'. Not all words that include 'tru' are positive of course. But within words such as 'truth' and 'trust', the core 'tru' underscores our 'reliance on the veracity, integrity or other virtues or sound principles of someone or something'.[4]
Building Trust
And it is a truism that building trust within society remains as important as ever. In this respect, the annual PwC Building Trust Awards are significant. These Awards 'celebrate the organisations building trust in society...recognising those leading in sustainable and insightful reporting'.[5]
Especially apt at this time is the praise from PwC's judges for The Royal Society 2025 annual report Standing Up for Science.[6] The report was commended for how it outlines:
...a compelling story about what the Charity does, why its activities are important and its impact...the judges felt the Royal Society's accounts were set apart through transparent reporting on governance... [telling] ...a compelling story about how it creates value for society, and it reports very clearly on both where its income comes from and where it goes.[7]
A widely respected adjudicator of annual reports, with whom I served for many years on adjudication panels that he chaired, drew my attention especially to the Society's Governance Statement. He notes that in relation to the Society's last criterion on Openness and Accountability,[8] 'Very rarely (if ever) do I see such a good summary'.[9]
We rightly trust universities, research institutions and learned societies to enable the efforts of innovators. Many also develop sophisticated outreach programmes to stimulate interest in these efforts and to better communicate the impact of innovation. Symposia, meetings and workshops with innovative colleagues throughout the world often stimulate creativity. And many innovators variously shape events to share the significance of their discoveries with the public, of all ages.
Systematic Communication
Going forward, the critical role of the communication systems of institutions is to further develop clear, accessible and actionable information.[10] The Nobel Museum itself is an exemplar in offering insights.[11] Additionally, the Museum is planning wider outreach through a 'new Nobel house... devoted to how knowledge may change our world', opening its doors to the public in 2031.[12]
Especially now, the perspective offered in an earlier time by a leader of the Office of Science and Technology Policy for the United States assumes larger significance. He commented to me that at times he found sobering the speed with which decisions need to be made on major issues in the White House, sometimes within half an hour. Then he looked at me intently, and said '...of course, I like to think it would be worse if I wasn't here to make input, because the decision would be made anyway'.[13]
It is increasingly urgent for universities and other institutions of learning to further develop robust and systematic engagement widely in the community and very directly with policymakers and people of influence or means. It is in the interest of all of us to enhance mutual understandings and grow the resources required to sustain the innovations that our world needs to thrive.
References
1. Ulf Larsson (Ed.) (2001), Cultures of Creativity: The Centennial Exhibition of the Nobel Prize, Science History Publications/USA & The Nobel Museum, Canton MA; this 228 pages of text and photographs is a precursor to the Nobel Prize Museum, now open in Stockholm's Old Town, https://www.nobelprize.org/about/nobel-museum/
2. Ulf Larsson (Ed.) (2001), p. 39
3. Carolina Moreno-Castro (2026), 'Reshaping science communication in a critical period of disinformation and distrust', Journal of Science Communication, n.pag., https://jcom.sissa.it/article/pubid/JCOM_2501_2026_C03/ ; DOI: 10.22323/304220251109231221
4. Etymonline (2026), Origin and History of Trust, https://www.etymonline.com/word/trust
5. PwC Building Trust Awards 2025, 'Reporting in Charities', https://www.pwc.co.uk/who-we-are/pwc-building-trust-awards.html
6. The Royal Society (2025), Standing Up for Science, London: The Royal Society, https://royalsociety.org/-/media/about-us/governance/trustees-report-financial-statements-2024-2025.pdf
7. PwC Building Trust Awards 2025
8. The Royal Society (2025), p. 63
9. Personal correspondence, 13 February 2026
10. Carolina Moreno-Castro
11. Also planned is a 'new Nobel house... devoted to how knowledge may change our world', opening its doors to the public in 2031, https://www.nobelprizemuseum.se/en/nobel-center/
12. See for example, Nobel Minds 2025 https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel-minds/
13. Rodney G Miller (2022), Communication and Beyond, Albany NY: Parula Press, p. 58