The Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal is an annual Royal Society prize, rewarding achievement in the areas of history, philosophy or social function of science. In 2023 this prize was awarded to Professor Sarah Franklin, chair of sociology at the University of Cambridge, for her research into, and advocacy for, the social aspects of new reproductive technologies.

Professor Franklin discussed her research into public perceptions of IVF and embryo research at the Royal Society last week.

The evolution of public debate over embryo research has been closely examined by Professor Franklin for over four decades. During this lecture, she reported on the specific causal factors that have shifted public opinion.

Professor Franklin was one of the first social scientists to conduct in depth qualitative research into public perceptions of IVF and embryo research, starting her research in the 1980s.

Watch the lecture on the Royal Society YouTube channel.