Three academics from Swansea University are among the latest recipients of the Learned Society of Wales’ medals.
One of the highlights of the Society’s year is the awarding of our medals. These recognise Welsh research excellence in science, education, social sciences and the humanities. They celebrate outstanding contributions in research and scholarship.
This year’s recipients include:
Professor Ann John: The Frances Hoggan Medal
The Frances Hoggan Medal celebrates outstanding research by women in STEMM.
Professor John’s research focuses on mental health and the prevention of suicide and self-harm; her regular media work is influential in shaping the way suicide is depicted.
Professor John, who holds a personal chair in public health and psychiatry at Swansea University Medical School, also provided scientific advice to governmental bodies during the Covid pandemic.
She said: “I am honoured to receive the Frances Hogan Medal for my work in suicide prevention and children's mental health. Not least because it’s in the name of a pioneering female medic with a focus on population health and prevention.”
Professor Kenneth Morgan: The Menelaus Medal
The Menelaus Medal celebrates excellence in engineering.
Professor Morgan, from the School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, has worked for many decades on developing computer models for engineering analysis. This has had particular impact on the way in which aerospace industries use computer simulation for design and analysis.
He said: “I am honoured and privileged to have received this prestigious award. Computational engineering is now widely used in industry to guide the process of creating new designs.
“My work on developing unstructured grid technology contributed to significantly improving the efficiency of the process of computational engineering, particularly in the aerospace sector.”
Dr Hayley Young: Dillwyn Medal (Social Sciences, Education and Business)
Celebrating outstanding early career researchers in Wales.
Dr Young is an associate professor at the School of Psychology whose research explores the development of foods that aid both mood and cognition, with implications for how children learn and how memory is affected as we age. Her advice is sought by authorities in Wales and around the world.
The Dillwyn Medals are supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW).
She said: “I am incredibly honoured and privileged to have been recognized. My research considers the effect of foods on mood and cognition, with implications for how children learn and how memory is affected as we age.
“Ensuring that every person in Wales and beyond has access to healthy and nutritious food to support their body and their brain is incredibly important, and I am so proud to be part of a research community aiming to make that happen.”