Caroline Criado Perez, the fiery feminist author behind Invisible Women (2019) and Do It Like A Woman (2021), has clinched the inaugural Unwin Award in a dazzling ceremony at The Royal Institution last night, per publishers.org.uk. The £10,000 prize, backed by the Unwin Charitable Trust and the Publishers Association, celebrates emerging non-fiction writers whose work leaves a lasting mark on the world. Perez, a broadcaster and campaigner, was hailed for her groundbreaking contributions to global policy, research, and cultural discourse.
The 2025 judging panel couldn’t stop singing her praises, spotlighting her meticulous research, razor-sharp statistics, and unapologetic passion, with Professor Shahidha Bari, panel chair, noting Perez’s knack for blending science, feminist politics, and data into “compelling interrogations” of society.
From shifting government policies to sparking worldwide conversations, her work’s ripple effect is undeniable—her books still fly off shelves years after release.
Perez, visibly moved, said, “I wrote Invisible Women to make people see the damage of ignoring half the population. This award proves books can change the world—I’m honored.”
The win underscores the UK publishing industry’s power to amplify transformative voices, a mission the Unwin Award champions.
The night also featured the Unwin Award Lecture by quantum physicist Professor Jim Al-Khalili, who reflected on the enduring appetite for popular science books since Stephen Hawking’s era. Balancing academia and broadcasting, he hailed publishing’s role in shaping society—a perfect echo of Perez’s triumph.
Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association, called Perez’s impact “incredibly significant,” crediting her research and electrifying prose.
