Statue of Alfred Nobel.

Photo: A. Mahmoud

NOBEL PRIZES 2023

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2023

“for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter”
Pierre Agostini

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin

“for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter”
Ferenc Krausz

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin

“for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter”
Anne L’Huillier

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin

The three Nobel Prize laureates in physics 2023 are being recognised for their experiments, which have given humanity new tools for exploring the world of electrons inside atoms and molecules. They have demonstrated a way to create extremely short pulses of light that can be used to measure the rapid processes in which electrons move or change energy.
Illustration of two electrons, illustrating the Nobel Prize in Physics 2023.

© Johan Jarnestad/The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023

“for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots”
Moungi G. Bawendi

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin

“for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots”
Louis E. Brus

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin

“for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots”
Aleksey Yekimov

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin

Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Aleksey Yekimov are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 for the discovery and development of quantum dots. These tiny particles have unique properties and now spread their light from television screens and LED lamps. They catalyse chemical reactions and their clear light can illuminate tumour tissue for a surgeon.
An illustration of a bucket of paint with coloured balls beneath it, representing quantum dots.

© Johan Jarnestad/The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023

“for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19”
Katalin Karikó

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin

“for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19”
Drew Weissman

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin

The discoveries by the two Nobel Prize laureates were critical for developing effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 during the pandemic that began in early 2020. Through their groundbreaking findings, which have fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times.

Press release: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023

Scientific background: Discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19
A blue background with COVID-19 virus and a yellow strand of modified mRNA. Also shown is the chemical structure of pseudouridine, an RNA base that was important in the prize-awarded discovery. The graphic represents the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to Katalin Karinkó and Drew Weissman who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

© The Nobel Committe for Physiology or Medicine. Ill. Mattias Karlén

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2023

“for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable”
Jon Fosse

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2023 is awarded to the Norwegian author Jon Fosse, “for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable.”

His immense oeuvre written in Norwegian Nynorsk and spanning a variety of genres consists of a wealth of plays, novels, poetry collections, essays, children’s books and translations. While he is today one of the most widely performed playwrights in the world, he has also become increasingly recognised for his prose.
Author Jon Fosse at his desk

Jon Fosse at his desk.

Credit: Det Norske Samlaget. Photo: Tove Breistein

The Nobel Peace Prize 2023

“for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all”
Portrait of Narges Mohammadi

© Reihane Taravati

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.

This year’s peace prize also recognises the hundreds of thousands of people who, in the preceding year, have demonstrated against Iran’s theocratic regime’s policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women. The motto adopted by the demonstrators – “Woman – Life – Freedom” – suitably expresses the dedication and work of Narges Mohammadi.
Three demonstrating hands. The hand in the middle wears a set of bracelets representing the colours of Iran.

Ill. Niklas Elmehed © Nobel Prize Outreach

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2023

“for having advanced our understanding of women’s labour market outcomes”
Claudia Goldin

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin

Over the past century, the proportion of women in paid work has tripled in many high-income countries. This is one of the biggest societal and economic changes in the labour market in modern times, but significant gender differences remain. It was first in the 1980s that a researcher adopted a comprehensive approach to explaining the source of these differences. Claudia Goldin’s research has given us new and often surprising insights into women’s historical and contemporary roles in the labour market.
A detective investigating a file cabinet, accompanied by a golden retriever.

Figure 4. Depiction of Claudia Goldin as a detective with her dog Pika.

© Johan Jarnestad/The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

2023 Nobel Prizes

How much do you know about the discoveries awarded the 2023 Nobel Prizes? Take our one-minute crash course on each of the prizes and find out how each have changed our world.
Students with illustrations behind.

Explore prizes and laureates