“All Swiss citizens were awarded the Ig Nobel Peace Prize”

Kees Moeliker is himself an Ig Nobel Prize Laureate in Biology for his research into necrophilia in male ducks. | Photo: Anne Claire de Breij / Lumen Photo

The Ig Nobel Prize committee receives between 9,000 and 10,000 nominations every year. The only criteria for the selection of the 10 winners are: the research should first make you laugh and then make you think. Kees Moeliker leads the European Bureau of the Annals of Improbable Research. This science-humour magazine organises the annual Ceremony. It has taken place in the US since 1991. But this year it will be held in Zurich on 3 September.

Kees Moeliker, which Ig Nobel award gave you the best laugh?

There was one in 2024. Biologists from Italy and Africa found out that the food preference of certain African lizards is four-cheese pizza. I can imagine the researchers had a good time at a seaside resort in Togo and saw lizards feeding on leftovers. This research is funny but also makes you think about the change of an animal’s food habits in human-dominated environments.

Why did the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony leave the US?

For 35 years the winners came in person to receive the awards. Last year, four teams decided at the last minute not to travel to the US. That was worrying. And the situation has become even worse now.

Were you worried about travelling to the US?

No, but I would not like it now. It’s not a funny country anymore. And the Ig Nobel ceremony is a funny event. People from all over the world should have a good time and not be worried about travel restrictions or border policies. We cannot, in good conscience, invite winners and journalists to come to the US.

Is the relocation also a statement?

Of course. We do not agree with how the current US government treats science and scientists or people in general.

Why was Switzerland chosen?

We have a big network in Europe. So we asked our partners here for help. Our Swiss friends raised their hands immediately.

Was it just the speed of their response?

While the world is burning, it feels very safe to have the ceremony in this beautiful neutral country. Neutrality adds to the atmosphere. We already have a plan to hold the ceremony each even-numbered year in Zurich and each odd-numbered year in another European city. It’s hard to predict when we will be able to return to the US, so we will stay in Europe for a while.

There are several Nobel Laureates present at the Ig Nobel ceremonies. Does one stand out with a good sense of humour?

Roy Glauber, the 2005 Nobel laureate for physics. He died a couple of years ago. Since the early years of the ceremony Glauber was one of the people who swept up the paper planes that the audience traditionally throws at the winners. At one point he became the official ‘sweeper’. Even after winning his Nobel Prize, he kept coming to sweep the paper airplanes. May I tell you another nice story?

Of course!

You may not be aware, but in 2008 the Federal Ethics Committee on Non-Human Biotechnology and all Swiss citizens were awarded the Ig Nobel Peace Prize for recognising that plants have dignity. So, in fact, you yourself are an Ig Nobel winner.