Michael Kenward (1945-2025)

“Since the 1970s, long before it became fashionable, I have written about scientists and the businesses that have tried to turn research into something more useful than a pile of papers, understood by next to no one.” 

So said Michael (Mike) Kenward, who died last month aged 80. “Governments, funding bodies, even some scientists, have caught up. And yet much of the academic research community remains in denial about the need to ‘sell’ what it does. I'm still on the case.” 

The ABSW Board sends its most sincere condolences to his family and friends. Mike was an ABSW Life member, honoured for his outstanding service to science writing and to the ABSW. He remained an active participant in the community and acted as the association’s honorary auditor for many years until he stepped down in April 2025. “He will be much missed, and his contribution to ABSW over the years must be celebrated,” says JV Chamary, ABSW Treasurer.

After graduating in physics from the University of Sussex in 1966, Mike worked as a research scientist in nuclear fusion at Culham Laboratory in Oxfordshire. A couple of years later, he went on to science journalism, eventually joining the staff of New Scientist in 1969. He was the magazine’s editor from 1979 to 1990. 

“Mike changed my life. Twice,” writes science editor Peter Wrobel, recalling when they first met in 1982 (and again in the 1990s). At the time, New Scientist had no sub-editors, but Mike got the post created and hired Pete as chief sub-editor. “I realised later that Mike had a fierce commitment to making New Scientist accessible and comprehensible to the widest possible readership. He backed me all the way.”

“Mike gave me my first break as Education consultant of New Scientist, and for that I will always be grateful,” recalls science writer Marcus Chown. “He was very good at picking people who got on well together and worked well as a team, and many of us to this day are friends. He allowed people to do their jobs without interference – until they screwed up!”

Alun Anderson, who became the magazine’s editor in 1992, recalls getting “a lot of good advice” over a bottle or two of wine at his favourite little Bistro, Mon Plaisir in Covent Garden, just before Alun took the editor’s job. 

“Among other things, he impressed on me that being editor puts you at the intersection of the editorial team’s dreams and the management's demands, which can make you quite a punchbag,” Alun says.

After leaving the magazine, Mike became a freelance writer, editor, and editorial consultant. For almost 20 years (2004-2024), he was a member of the editorial board of Ingenia magazine, published by the Royal Academy of Engineering, and a regular contributor. He played a pivotal role in shaping the magazine, most notably through his work profiling Academy Fellows in each issue.

“Mike was such a huge supporter of the Academy and the magazine,” recalls Scott Steedman, Ingenia’s editor in chief from 2004 to 2021. “I learnt so much from his style and support for editing all my editorials. His skill at editing what I thought was a well-written piece was remarkable. He always improved everything he touched.” 

In 1990, Mike was awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), a national award in the UK which recognises community champions or those who have made a national impact in their chosen area. In Mike’s case, he was awarded for his work as a member of the Committee on the Public Understanding of Science, a role that involved the constant sending of notes to fellow editors, badgering them to take science seriously. 

“I’ve tried to get the media interested in science. Someone has to campaign for science to be treated as part of life,” he explained to New Scientist at the time. “I was completely surprised when I heard [about the OBE]. I’ve spent the past 11 years slagging off the government.”

“He was very much part of the campaigning tradition in journalism. He fought for New Scientist and fiercely defended his journalists,” adds Marcus.

“Mike had taken New Scientist through some tough final years with a not too supportive and anti-union management, and he had been at it 11 years for longer than any other editor before or since, while still really loving the magazine. For that, he should be very proud," Alun says.

By Vera Novais and Ehsan Masood