Dublin & New York, 20th June 2017 – Futureproof, Newstalk’s science and technology radio programme, has today won two medals in the New York Festival’s World Best Radio Programme Awards. The highly competitive and prestigious New York Festival awards saw entries from over 30 countries. Winners were announced at the awards ceremony on the evening of 19th June, which took place in Manhattan Penthouse, New York City.

Director of Strategy and Communications in Science Foundation Ireland, Dr. Ruth Freeman said: “Science Foundation Ireland is delighted to congratulate Futureproof and Newstalk on winning these two awards from the New York Festival. Futureproof is a hugely engaging show, telling compelling stories about science and technology, and managing that elusive balance of both informing and entertaining its listeners. We are very proud to have sponsored this quality programme since its inception seven years ago and we want to wish Jonathan McCrea and his team the warmest congratulations on their high profile wins today.”

Futureproof won two awards for the documentary “The Space Between Skeleton and Skin”, the story and science behind Mark Pollock's efforts to walk again despite his paralysis. The programme won the Gold Radio Winner in the Information/Documentary section under the Science and Technology awards category. It is also the Silver Radio Winner in the News Reports/Features section under the Heroes awards category.

Commenting on the success Futureproof presenter Johnathan McCrea, stated: "We're absolutely thrilled to have our work recognised on the international stage. After seven years on air, we are still as passionate about telling the great stories of science as we were when we started at the quiet end of a Sunday night. We owe a huge debt to our sponsors Science Foundation Ireland for their unwavering support, and to Newstalk for having the vision to nurture the programme and put science at the heart of the weekend schedule".

Futureproof is presented by Jonathan McCrea every Saturday on Newstalk from 12 noon to 1pm, and covers the latest developments from the world of science and technology, from robotics in warfare to space discovery, augmented humans, the brain, artificial lifeforms and beyond.