How to win part 6: 'You've won!'

Chemistry World goes behind closed doors to find out how the Nobel committee make their selection. Our guide on this voyage of discovery is Bengt Norden, chair professor of physical chemistry of Chalmers University of Technology. Norden was a member of the Nobel committee for chemistry – the body responsible for recommending potential laureates – from 1995 to 2004, and counts a great number of Nobel laureates amongst his personal friends. 

How winning affects people

‘When we call, we say you have another 20 minutes of peace in your life’

Winning the Nobel prize is not only positive. Some people change for the worse. And Bengt himself has had nightmares about winning.