The Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE) has launched its search to recognise outstanding achievement in the field of Engineering Sciences.   The Parsons Medal is awarded annually by the IAE to an engineer or engineering scientist who has made an exceptional contribution to the practice of engineering through the innovative application of engineering, science, or technology resulting in significant social and/or economic impact.

This award is an all-Ireland award for Engineering Sciences.  Engineers or Engineering scientists based in Ireland who have demonstrated engineering excellence and exceptional ability in:

  • Engineering research leading to publication in refereed international journals and/or
  • The application of engineering research or technology to the development of innovative products or services and/or
  • The development of an engineering based enterprise

Previous winners have included Prof. Tony Fagan, UCD School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (2016), Dr. Edmond Harty, Dairymaster CEO, (2017), Prof. Sir John McCanny (2018) and Michael McLaughlin (2019).

Prof. Fagan received the honour for his influence in the field of digital signal processing (DSP). DSP is a technology that allows instant communication across the world. It is the technical brains behind television, the internet and devices such as phones and digital cameras.

The academy awarded the 2017 Parsons Medal Dr Edmond Harty, who has filed over 96 innovative patents relating to his business, which are applied commercially on farms around the world and have brought about great efficiencies on dairy farms. Dairymaster is one of the world’s leading dairy and agri-tech firms and exports to 40 countries and has direct operations in Ireland, UK and USA.

Prof Sir McCanny is emeritus professor in electronics and computer engineering at Queen’s University, Belfast (QUB) and was Director of the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT). He received a knighthood in the 2017 New Year’s Honours in recognition for his services to higher education and economic development, and has published five research books, 360 peer-reviewed research papers, and holds more than 20 patents. He received a record level of funding for his research between 1984 and 2017, which amounted to approximately £110m.

The 2019 recipient of the Parsons Medal was Michael McLaughlin, the founder, President and chief technical officer of Decawave Ltd. The outstanding and incredibly clever work that Michael has done in the past 15 years means that Ireland is seen internationally as the global leader in highly accurate radio positioning technology. Michael founded Decawave Ltd with the vision of developing and marketing a system that provides centimetre accuracy positioning using ultrawideband wireless signals

The award will be made to the successful applicant at a lunch in their honour in Birr Castle September

Quote from Dr. Gabriel Dennison, Chief Executive of IAE:

“I would encourage all engineers and technologists with a great story to tell to consider either applying for this award or allowing themselves be nominated by a sponsor. It isn’t often there are opportunities for recognition and validation of your professional work by your peers – certainly not at the prestigious level of the Parsons Medal”.

The Parsons Medal commemorates the work of Sir Charles Algernon Parsons, the Irish inventor of steam turbines and the youngest son of the famous astronomer William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse. The family seat of the Parsons family is at Birr, Co. Offaly.

Speaking about the accolade, previous winner Professor Tony Fagan said “To receive this recognition from my peers for my academic work and the work I’ve done with Irish Industry was one of the highest points in my career.  I would encourage engineers to apply or if you know someone who has excelled in the field you can nominate them”.

Regulations

  1. Eligibility criteria
    1. The medal will be awarded to an engineer based on the island of Ireland who has made an exceptional contribution to the practice of engineering through the innovative application of engineering, science, or technology resulting in significant social and/or economic impact.
    2. Nominees can be working in any sector including business, industry, the public sector, and academia.
  1. Nominations
    Nominations should be made independently by a person familiar with the work of the nominee. Prior agreement of the nominee should be obtained.
  1. Format of submission
    The submission should include a short CV of the nominee together with a letter of support from the nominator which should be limited to 500 words.
  1. Assessment
    1. The Assessment Committee will consist of 4 members of the Academy nominated by Council drawn from across the spectrum of engineering practice.
    2. The Chair of the Assessment Committee is responsible for ensuring that any potential or perceived conflicts of interest are appropriately and transparently handled.
    3. Members of the Committee will assess and rank all the candidates independently and in advance of the first meeting. These individual rankings will be combined to serve as a guide to the discussion at the first meeting.
    4. The Assessment Committee may seek further information about the nominee and/or their work.
    5. The Committee may produce a shortlist of candidates.
    6. The opinion of an external reviewer from outside the country will be sought. They will be asked to rank the candidates (either all nominees or the shortlist) and provide a brief justification for their ranking.
    7. The Committee will then meet and make its final decision taking into account the advice of the external reviewer. Its decision will be final.

Applications to be submitted to the Honorary Secretary at academy@iae.ie

Closing date for applications is the 15th May 2020