Ig Nobel 2026 celebrates quirky research on soil, friendship and animal kisses in Zurich
The annual Ig Nobel awards were presented in Zurich, Switzerland, where ten prizes recognized unconventional studies. Winners included a soil‑science team that buried cotton underwear in more than 25 countries to track decomposition, a peace‑prize paper by Keelan Williams of Hamilton College on why people value friends who are both supportive and ruthless, and Oxford evolutionary biologist Matilda Brindle, who defined animal kissing for its role in reproductive and sexual evolution.
The ceremony also honored a team that engineered a splash‑free urinal and researchers who studied kissing among large apes. The event highlighted how playful research can yield insights into ecology, behavior and society.
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- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
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Why it matters
The awards show how seemingly odd studies can deepen understanding of everyday phenomena and human relationships.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Ig Nobel 2026 honors quirky studies on soil, friendship and animal kisses
- Sep 3 The 2026 ceremony was held in Zurich, Switzerland.
