Joshua Howgego

The 2026 Angela Croome Award is awarded to Joshua Howgego for contributions to space and Earth science journalism as author and editor, combining narrative clarity and scientific depth to bring complex planetary questions to a wide audience.

Joshua Howgego combines rigorous scientific training, including a PhD in chemistry, with editorial insight to produce work that is both authoritative and accessible. In his recently published book, 'The Meteorite Hunters', he not only investigates the scientific enigmas posed by meteorites, from isotopic signatures and planetary migration, to the origin of water on Earth. He also places these discoveries within a human context, for example, he introduces citizen scientists searching Norwegian rooftops for micrometeorites, discovers the vast meteorite collections in the Vienna Museum of Natural History, and walks us through the ethical and legal challenges around the hunt for, and ownership of, meteoric material. The book draws together diverse voices from amateurs, academics, and institutions, to show how science, curiosity, and community intersect.

Beyond his book, Howgego has served for over a decade as features editor at 'New Scientist' magazine, championing Earth and space science topics that are often underrepresented in popular journalism. By commissioning, shaping, and refining, he works behind the scenes to elevate stories by others, ensuring both scientific accuracy and public engagement. In doing so, he has sustained and enriched public understanding of Earth, space and planetary science, and Earth’s history. Overall, Howgego combines deep scientific knowledge with compelling storytelling, illuminating the pressing questions of planetary science for the broadest possible readership.