13 Sep 2021

The 'smell of fear' wins an Ig Nobel prize

From Afternoons, 1:34 pm on 13 September 2021

For 30 years scientists have acknowledged the humour in their work with a satricial counterpart to the prestigious Nobel Prize: the aptly named Ig Nobel Prize.

The aim of the Ig Nobel Prize is to "honour achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think." 

And this year a New Zealander took out the Ig Nobel prize for Chemistry with his research into the smell of fear.

University of Auckland Senior Lecturer, Dr Joerg Wicker, joined Jesse to talk about the win and his work.

Dr Joerg Wicker with his Ig Nobel Prize

Dr Joerg Wicker with his Ig Nobel Prize Photo: supplied