Edinburgh Medal
The Edinburgh Medal is a scientific medal given at the Edinburgh International Science Festival since 1989.[1] The Edinburgh Medal is an award given each year to men and women recognized for their contributions to science and technology and whose professional achievements have made a significant contribution to the understanding and well-being of humanity. [2] It was instituted by the City of Edinburgh Council in 1988 and has been presented at the Edinburgh International Science Festival since 1989. Each year the recipient attends an awards ceremony and delivers an address at the Festival. [3]
Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, was presented the award in 2017. [4] While in Edinburgh to receive the award, Prof Piot delivered an address that discussed epidemics in a global context and focused on obesity. [5]
In 2016, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost presented the award to Kevin Govender and the International Astronomical Union (IAU). [6]. The award was presented in recognition of the creation and practical establishment of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development, which integrates the pursuit of scientific knowledge with social development for and with those most in need. [7]
Philosopher Mary Midgley was awarded the Edinburgh Medal at the 2015 Edinburgh International Science Festival. [8] [9]
Prof Mary Abukutsa-Onyango, professor of horticulture at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology received the 2014 Edinburgh Medal in recognition of her two decades of research on sustainable production and utilization of leafy African indigenous vegetables to tackle malnutrition and obesity as well as empower rural communities in Kenya. [10]
In 2013, the 25th anniversary of the Edinburgh Medal and the Edinburgh International Science Festival, the Medal was awarded jointly for the first time in its history to Professor Peter Higgs and CERN. [11] It was presented in a ceremony at Edinburgh’s signet library to Professor Higgs and Professor Rolf-Dieter Heuer, Director General of CERN who collected the medal on behalf of the institution. [12]
US climate change scientist Dr James Hansen was received the award in 2012. [13]. In 2011 the Edinburgh Medal was awarded to Professor Carl Djerassi, an American Scientist who invented the contraceptive pill. [14]
List of Medallists
- 1989 Abdus Salam
- 1990 Stephen J. Gould
- 1991 Jane Goodall
- 1992 Heinz Wolff
- 1993 Wangari Maathai
- 1994 Manuel Pattarroyo
- 1995 Sir John Crofton
- 1996 Richard Levins
- 1997 Amartya Sen
- 1998 Sir David Attenborough
- 1999 Jocelyn Bell Burnell
- 2000 Lynn Margulis
- 2001 Sir John Sulston
- 2002 Lise Kingo
- 2003 Wang Sung
- 2004 Steven Rose
- 2005 Colin Blakemore
- 2006 James Lovelock
- 2007 Richard Horton
- 2008 Chris Rapley
- 2009 Jonathan Beckwith
- 2010 Sir Alec Jeffreys
- 2011 Carl Djerassi
- 2012 James Hansen
- 2013 Peter Higgs and CERN
- 2014 Mary Abukutsa-Onyango
- 2015 Mary Midgely
- 2016 Kevin Govender and International Astronomical Union
- 2017 Peter Piot
References
- ^ "Edinburgh Medal - Edinburgh International Science Festival - Edinburgh International Science Festival". Edinburgh International Science Festival.
- ^ Allison, Katy. "Medal for medical pioneer". www.edinburgh.gov.uk.
- ^ "Edinburgh Medal - Edinburgh International Science Festival - Edinburgh International Science Festival". Edinburgh International Science Festival.
- ^ "Edinburgh science festival to explore tech dangers".
- ^ "PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News". www.pressreader.com.
- ^ Kerr, Sally. "An astronomical inspiration: The Edinburgh Medal 2016 - Lord Provost's blog". www.edinburgh.gov.uk.
- ^ "South African Government News Agency". SAnews. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
- ^ "Interview: Philosopher Mary Midgley - thinker, writer ... and nemesis of the selfish gene". HeraldScotland.
- ^ "Edinburgh Medal Address: Scientism". edinburghfestival.list.co.uk.
- ^ "Prof Mary Abukutsa-Onyango wins 2014 Edinburgh Medal". kenyanwomenprofessors.blogspot.co.uk.
- ^ "Professor Peter Higgs to get Edinburgh Medal".
- ^ "Professor Peter Higgs awarded the Edinburgh Medal".
- ^ "US climate change scientist awarded Edinburgh Medal".
- ^ "Edinburgh Medal for Pill inventor". 8 April 2011 – via www.bbc.co.uk.