SCI Awards reception 2006
Museum of London, 1 December 2006
 Over 100 people gathered
at the Museum of London on 1 December 2006 for the first presentation in SCI’s new awards scheme. Stephanie Burns, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Dow Corning, was presented with the prestigious SCI Mond Health & Safety Award. The award, in recognition of significant achievement in the field of health and safety, was one of three conferred by SCI in its new programme.
Other recipients were writer and broadcaster John Emsley, who was presented with the SCI Science Communication Award, and Dudley Shallcross of Bristol University School of Chemistry, who received the SCI Science Education Award.
SCI has modernised and extended its established awards scheme to reflect the Society’s commitment towards raising the awareness of science, education in this area and ground-breaking innovation.
It was most appropriate, therefore, that the award presentations were made by the evening’s keynote speaker Clive Cookson, science editor of the Financial Times. In his introductory speech, Cookson said that his presence illustrated the 'changing attitudes to journalism and the media in the world of science and industry.’
Before conferring the awards, he highlighted the different ways in which the media and scientists work. Pointing out that while both share similar traits – for example they are curious, analytical, sceptical, discovery-loving, competitive, highly motivated, free-thinking and self-critical – there is little in common when it comes to reporting results. ‘In chemistry and other sciences, you start with the detailed evidence,’ he said. ‘Journalists, and most other people, start with the conclusion, then go on to broad facts and then (maybe) down to the details.’
Three new categories will be introduced in the 2007 SCI Awards.
The SCI Mond Health & Safety Award
Awarded to: Dr Stephanie Burns
 The SCI Mond Award is presented ‘for significant achievement in the field of health and safety, relating either to the workplace or in the general context of public/consumer safety.’
SCI chief executive Andrew Ladds said: ‘This award recognises Stephanie’s commitment to sustainability and responsible custodianship of our planet. In Dow Corning’s 2005 Sustainability Report Stephanie leads the charge with her inspiring vision, saying:
'When I picture Dow Corning in the future, our commitment to a better world remains clearly in focus – as we plan our innovations and solutions for tomorrow, I picture sustainability defining the way we work and the way we live. Dow Corning has translated this vision into actions to ensure:
- A commitment throughout the company towards personal health and safety and care of the environment.
- The establishment of internal and external boards and committees responsible for environmental health and safety.
- Open dialogue to ensure the transmission of care and best practice.’
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The SCI Science Communication Award – sponsored by Manor Creative.
Awarded to: Dr John Emsley
 John Emsley is best known for his series of popular science books about everyday chemistry. He has maintained a consistently high standard in his popular science writing and broadcasting over the past 20 years, emphasising the benefits of chemistry and the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Emsley’s skills derive from the objectivity gained through a combination of an academic background and freelance writing. This award recognises the breadth and topicality of his coverage of chemical issues, ranging from food chemistry to advanced semiconductors, from alchemy to Viagra. SCI chief executive Andrew Ladds said: ‘John is a well known face in the media and has been a stalwart of the Association of British Science Writers for 25 years. He has such an easy and lucid style that his books have earned popularity with the widest possible readership. SCI, through this award, recognises John’s talents and his commitment to the communication of chemistry.’ |
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The SCI Science Education Award – sponsored by Wiley InterScience.
Awarded to: Dudley Shallcross
 Dudley Shallcross has a remarkably broad teaching portfolio for someone who is still at a relatively early stage of their academic career. Not only does he teach and supervise undergraduates and postgraduates but he has also worked closely with secondary and primary schools on various teaching projects relating to the promotion and understanding of science.
SCI chief executive Andrew Ladds said: ‘Dudley is an enthusiastic and innovative teacher who has made a significant impact in and beyond the School of Chemistry and science faculty at Bristol University. Aspects of his teaching have been hailed as best practice by the University’s faculty.
‘The assessment of Dudley by his own students serves to illustrate the excellent standard of his teaching and the SCI Education Award reflects the importance of this. Questionnaire returns for his courses confirm that his approachability, clarity as a teacher and his current research work all serve to ensure his popularity as a supervisor. Indeed, many of his students have gone on themselves to win undergraduate and graduate project prizes.’ |
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