Congratulations to the newly revealed LSW medallists
The Learned Society of Wales has announced the names of its 2023 medallists at a ceremony attended by Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language, and Professor Dame Sue Ion, one of our Honorary Fellows and Chairman, UK Nuclear Innovation Research Advisory Board.
The medals are awarded each year to celebrate the outstanding research that comes from Wales.
The subject specialisms of the winners range from science education to aero-engine design, climate change to virtual reality.
This year’s recipients are:
Menelaus Medal
Professor Aimee Morgans, Imperial College London
Newport-bred and educated, Professor Morgans is renowned for her work on the instabilities that threaten the structure of gas turbine aero-engines. This has seen her work with many of the world’s leading engineering firms. She was the first woman to become a Professor at Imperial College’s Mechanical Engineering department and leads on numerous equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives. More details
Hoggan Medal
Professor Siwan Davies, Swansea University
Professor Davies is a physical geographer and science broadcaster, as well as a multiple award-winner for her research. That research is wide-ranging and includes internationally recognised work on the analysis of microscopic volcanic ash particle, which can help to reconstruct past periods of climate change to provide clues about current change. More details
Hugh Owen Medal
Professor Tom Crick, Swansea University
Our Hugh Owen Medal is named in honour of Sir Hugh Owen (1804-1881) and celebrates outstanding educational research in Wales.
Professor Crick is recognised internationally for leading Welsh reforms on STEM education. Other work on computer science education and digital skills policy contributed to him receiving an MBE in 2017 for “services to computer science and the promotion of computer science education”. More details
Dillwyn Medals
The Society’s Dillwyn medals are awarded in recognition of outstanding early career research in three different academic fields: STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine); Social Sciences, Education and Business; and the Creative Arts and Humanities.
Humanities and Creative Arts
Dr Rebecca Thomas, Cardiff University
Dr Thomas specialises in the history, culture and literature of medieval Wales. She has a particular interest in using detailed close reading of the source texts, often at word and sentence level, to look at influences from Britain and Europe on Welsh medieval identities. She has also published two medieval historical novels for young adults. More details
STEMM
Dr Iestyn Woolway, Bangor University
Dr Woolway is a climate scientist who researches the impact of climate change on lakes and their ecosystems. This work in invaluable for helping decision-makers who work to preserve vulnerable ecosystems. More details
Social Sciences, Education and Business
Dr Leighton Evans, Swansea University
Professor Evans’ background in the philosophy of technology and new media and resulted in ground-breaking work on virtual reality and the metaverse. His work is notable for its interdisciplinary quality, which blends ideas from media studies, philosophy and social sciences. More details