Unlike other prizes awarded by the society, the committee has not always publicly provided a rationale. This has occurred five times—in 2004 to Martin Rees, in 2006 to Richard Fortey, in 2007 to Jim Al-Khalili,  in 2008 to John D. Barrow and most recently in 2009 to Marcus du Sautoy.
The committee has not always disclosed the rationale behind its awards, a pattern that has been observed five times: Martin Rees in 2004, Richard Fortey in 2006, Jim Al-Khalili in 2007, John D. Barrow in 2008, and Marcus du Sautoy in 2009.