A study co-authored by Dr Inge Kersbergen from the University of Bath has been awarded an Ig Nobel Prize, which celebrates research that makes people laugh and then think.

The prize will be presented at the 2025 Ig Nobel ceremony on 18 September, hosted by Boston University. The award will be accepted on behalf of the research team by first and last authors Dr Jessica Werthmann and Dr Fritz Renner of the University of Freiburg.

Published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2017, the study investigated whether alcohol would impair or improve foreign language ability. Fifty native German speakers who had recently learned Dutch were asked to take part in a short, standardised conversation in Dutch after consuming either a low dose of alcohol or a non-alcoholic beverage. Their conversations were recorded and rated by native Dutch speakers.

The findings showed that participants who had consumed a small amount of alcohol were rated as having better Dutch pronunciation, even though alcohol did not improve their own self-ratings of performance. The results suggest that modest alcohol consumption may reduce language anxiety, leading to improved fluency in a second language.

Dr Kersbergen from the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath said:

We’re delighted that this playful piece of research has received such recognition. The Ig Nobel Prize reminds us that science can be both serious and fun and sometimes the light-hearted questions open up surprising insights into human behaviour. While our study highlights how a small amount of alcohol may reduce language anxiety, I would not recommend that anyone uses alcohol to improve their fluency in a second language. To me, the real takeaway is how complex and fascinating the psychological processes are that support communication in a second language.

The Ig Nobel Prizes are awarded annually by the Annals of Improbable Research. Unlike the Nobel Prizes, which honour groundbreaking scientific achievements, the Ig Nobels highlight research that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, often showcasing the curious and playful side of science. Each year, over 9,000 nominations are considered, with just ten studies selected for recognition.

The researchers emphasise that the findings should not be taken as encouragement to drink alcohol. The study examined only very low doses in a controlled laboratory setting, and higher levels of alcohol consumption are known to impair cognitive and motor skills, as well as pose serious health risks.