I just did some Googling and apparently, that is a more recent development (at least for physics, medicine and chemistry). Science Nobel laureates used to be young, or at least much younger, but now they are skewing much older. This article discusses it: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37578899
These days the committee prefers to wait until a body of work has made an impact across society. This typically takes a few decades. I actually prefer this style, although it is too often the case that the authors have since died. Would be good to see them allow posthumous awards within reason.
I think once you win a Nobel, it’s okay to rest on your laurels.
Also you don’t usually get a Nobel at the beginning of your career?
I just did some Googling and apparently, that is a more recent development (at least for physics, medicine and chemistry). Science Nobel laureates used to be young, or at least much younger, but now they are skewing much older. This article discusses it: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37578899
True! My gf is a chemist and said that there used to be that saying that if you hadn’t had your Nobel by 35 then you failed :S
These days the committee prefers to wait until a body of work has made an impact across society. This typically takes a few decades. I actually prefer this style, although it is too often the case that the authors have since died. Would be good to see them allow posthumous awards within reason.
In this article they say they controlled for researcher age. How effective that control is I cannot say.