A NEW MEDAL named in honour of Sir Hugh Owen (1804-1881) the Welsh educator, philanthropist and pioneer of higher education in Wales has been launched by the Learned Society of Wales (LSW).

As part of its mission to help recognize and celebrate Welsh scholarship, the LSW has established an annual prestigious medal award that recognises major contributions to educational research, the application of research to produce significant innovations in education policy and/or professional educational practice in Wales.

The medal, which will be awarded in recognition of an outstanding contribution to research in education, by an individual with a connection with Wales is funded by the Welsh Government. Welcoming the establishment of the new award, Kirsty Williams AM Cabinet Secretary for Education commented:

“This new medal, which is funded by the Welsh Government, will be awarded to recognise and celebrate outstanding educational research in Wales.

We always need to ask ourselves what will the benefits be of this research to the Welsh public. It is important not to lose sight of why we are carrying out research in the first place – its purpose, and who will benefit from its findings – and I’m pleased this award will recognise the real impact of research in this crucial field.”

 

 

 

The President of the Learned Society of Wales Sir Emyr Jones Parry said:

‘Education has always been a vital element of Welsh life. Encouraging research in education and its positive application recognises the imperative to inspire the best educational provision in Wales. The Society’s medals not only recognise academic excellence, but also recover and promote a long legacy of Welsh achievement. ’

The LSW currently awards three further medals:

• the Menelaus Medal sponsored by the South Wales Institute of Engineers Educational Trust awarded for excellence in engineering and technology or industrial research or practitioner,
• the Frances Hoggan medal sponsored by Welsh Government, which recognises women in science, medicine, engineering or mathematics
• the Dillwyn Medals which will are awarded annually in recognition of excellence in early career research.