IOA 2025 Medals and Awards

The IOA annually honours people whose contributions to acoustics have been particularly noteworthy. The medals and awards programme has evolved over the years and is now quite wide ranging in its acknowledgment of academic achievement, practical engineering applications and innovations, student achievement and contributions to the Institute and to the world of science and technology.

 

Each year the IOA announces its prestigious award winners following the Institute’s Council meeting held towards the end of March, and ahead of the annual conference. This year, the awards were presented at a lunch held at The Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street, Edinburgh. In his opening address, Immediate Past President, Alistair Somerville, noted that with accidental timing the medals and awards event was held on VE Day when across Europe people were looking back 80 years and acknowledging the service and sacrifice of so many who defended the freedoms we enjoy today. Freedoms which are hard fought for but fragile. He said: “As custodians of this planet, we should be ever mindful of the consequences of our actions and the impacts on each other and our environment.”

 

Fittingly, the event was held in Edinburgh, the home of Alexander Bell, born in 1847 and who became a student at University of Edinburgh. Both his mother and wife were deaf, significantly influencing his life’s work – his research on hearing and speech eventually led to the first US patent for the telephone, on 7 March 1876. The definition of the decibel originated in the measurement of transmission loss and power in telephony of the early 20th century in the Bell System in the United States and to round it off nicely, the bel was named in honour of Alexander Graham Bell. Alistair said: “Although these are the 2025 awards, much of what we are recognising today relates to excellence and service over many years and a lifetime of professional practice.”

 

Award winners:
Rayleigh Medal
The Rayleigh Medal is the IOA’s premier award, given to persons of undoubted renown for outstanding contributions to acoustics. The medal is named after John William Strutt, Third Baron Rayleigh (1842-1919), a versatile physicist who conducted experimental and theoretical research in virtually every branch of the subject. A graduate, fellow and eventually Chancellor of Cambridge University, he was a fellow and President of the Royal Society. His book The Theory of Sound remains a landmark text in the development of acoustics.

 

Professor Phillip Joseph

 

 

Above: (L-R) Professor David Waddington with the 2025 Rayleigh Medal winner, Professor Phillip Joseph

 

Phillip’s citation
Professor Phillip Joseph has made outstanding contributions to acoustics over more than three decades, particularly in aeroacoustics; combining theoretical and experimental work. His influence also extends to duct acoustics, noise control and underwater acoustics. His PhD research on local active noise control, still highly cited, defined the limits of creating local quiet zones in diffuse sound fields. Phillip’s research impact is reflected in over 6,100 citations and an h-index¹ of 44. More importantly, his work has influenced practical engineering, including:

• analytical models for predicting interaction noise from outlet guide vanes, used by Rolls-Royce;
• an ‘in-duct to far-field’ measurement technique for broadband fan noise, generating valuable industrial data; and
• pioneering work on serrated leading-edge designs for noise reduction, now further developed by Safran S.A.

 

A common theme in Phillip’s work is using deep theoretical insight to create real-world solutions. As an educator, he has trained 31 PhD students and more than 50 undergraduate and MSc students, many of whom now lead in the aerospace sector. He is known for his mentorship, enthusiasm and fostering of long-term collaborations. Beyond research and teaching, Phillip has significantly contributed to the acoustics community as subject editor for Journal of Sound and Vibration, coordinator of the UK Acoustics Network SIG for aeroacoustics, and technical chair of the 2022 AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference. Internationally recognised and actively consulting across industries, Professor Joseph exemplifies the qualities celebrated by the Rayleigh Medal and would be a worthy recipient. 

 

In his acceptance speech Phillip said: “The envelope with the IOA postmark on it sat on my kitchen worktop for about three days before I opened it. I thought it was a begging letter but just before I recycled it, I thought I’d better see what it said and I found out I had won the Rayleigh Medal. It is hugely humbling and slightly embarrassing when you look at the list of previous winners, but I have been very lucky to have spent my career at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research. Anyone who has been there will know the place is falling down and half the equipment is 50 years old and rusty, but what makes the place so special is its people and I have been incredibly fortunate to work with some truly remarkable pioneers in acoustics. For someone who has never won anything before, to receive this award is the cherry on the cake, but if you know how much I didn’t know, you’d withdraw the award, but only I know that.”

 

 

RWB Stephens Medal
The RWB Stephens Medal was named after Dr Ray Stephens, the first President of the IOA. His main interests lay in physical acoustics but he is remembered by generations of students for his continuing work in education. The medal is awarded in odd-numbered years for outstanding contributions to acoustics research or education.

 

 

Above: (L-R) Professors David Waddington and Simon Chandler- Wilde with his RWB Stephens Medal

 

Professor Simon Chandler-Wilde Simon’s citation:
Simon Chandler-Wilde is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Reading. He has made outstanding contributions to the field of acoustics through his research, teaching and academic administration. He graduated with a BSc in mathematics in 1981, MSc in engineering mathematics in 1983 and PhD in environmental sound propagation in 1988. He has worked in academia solving a range of highly challenging mathematical and engineering problems related to acoustic wave propagation, scattering and noise control. He was one of the first people to develop advanced boundary integral equation methods and codes to study outdoor sound propagation numerically in the presence of porous surfaces, rough terrain and noise barriers of complex shapes. His work in this area provided the foundation for the development of new noise barrier designs, understanding complex terrain and porous surfaces effect. His work has been used worldwide to control noise from road traffic and trains. In more recent years he has focused on developing general purpose computational methods and underlying theoretical acoustics. He has published 95 journal papers that are highly cited and lay down a foundation for the development of a range of new highly efficient computational methods for acoustic wave propagation. He has led or co-led 25 research grants related to acoustics.

 

He has organised major conferences and a range of workshops on wave theory and computation. This body of work has been recognised by several awards and invitations as plenary speaker at major international conferences. In his acceptance speech, Simon noted that he’d been an IOA member for around 40 years, so long in fact that all the people the medals are named after he knew personally. He said: “I remember being wined and dined one evening by Peter Lord in Manchester about the possibility of a job at Salford. I didn’t get the job but had a very nice evening. “I’m someone who works at the interface of acoustics and mathematics with a lot of incredibly technical problems and excellent people to work with. Of course, as an academic, a professor, you are reliant on all your Phd students, research assistants and colleagues and I have been very lucky in that respect, so looking back over the past 40 years this has been a fantastic career to work in and this presentation is very special.”

 

AB Wood Medal (USA/Canada)
The AB Wood medal and attendant prize is awarded in alternate years to acousticians based in the UK/ Europe (even years) and in the USA/ Canada (odd years). It is aimed at researchers who are under 40, whose work is associated with the sea. Following his graduation from Manchester University in 1912, Albert Beaumont Wood became one of the first two research scientists at the Admiralty to work on antisubmarine defence. He designed the first directional hydrophone and was well known for the many contributions he made to the science of underwater acoustics and for the help he gave to younger colleagues. The AB Wood Medal was instituted after Albert’s death by his many friends on both sides of the Atlantic and was administered by the Institute of Physics until the formation of the IOA.

 

Dr Shima Abadi (USA)
Shima’s citation Dr Shima Abadi has been nominated for the AB Wood Medal and prize for her exceptional contributions to ocean acoustics, signal processing and marine bioacoustics. Beginning her academic journey as a student and teaching assistant under her nominator, she later joined their research group and completed a PhD on blind deconvolution and array signal processing in 2013. She is now an Associate Professor at the University of Washington with cross- departmental appointments. Dr Abadi’s work includes developing blind deconvolution techniques for remote acoustic source identification, particularly for marine mammals and pioneering frequency-difference beamforming – a method that pushes spatial sampling limits. Her innovations have had broad interdisciplinary impact, extending to seismology and radar. She has also advanced distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) using ocean-floor fibre-optic cables – originally for seismic use – to monitor underwater acoustics. This enables high-resolution detection of whale calls, ship noise and other signals over vast distances, benefiting marine conservation, naval applications and the energy sector. This groundbreaking work attracted a $1.5 million grant from the Paul G Allen Family Foundation.

 

Additionally, Dr Abadi has expanded public use of Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) data by developing open-source tools and launching the ‘Ocean Noise Explorer’ platform, significantly increasing global accessibility to underwater acoustic data. She is also a dedicated mentor and advocate for open science and diversity in STEM, guiding students through hands-on research and outreach. Her leadership, innovation, and commitment to community exemplify the spirit of the AB Wood Medal.

 

Peter Lord Award

 

 

Above: (L-R) Professors David Waddington and Kirill Horoshenkov with UKAN’s Peter Lord Award

 

The Peter Lord Award is awarded annually for a building, project or product that showcases outstanding or innovative acoustic design, or outstanding acoustic implementation and is presented to the team or individual responsible for the acoustic design or acoustic aspects of the project. Peter Lord, a former IOA President who died in 2012, was a hugely influential figure in UK acoustics, being a driving force behind the setting up of the IOA, the founder of the Applied Acoustics department at the University of Salford and the first editor-in-chief of Applied Acoustics.

 

DEFRA and delivery partners DEFRA’s citation:
DEFRA is recognised for its outstanding contribution to acoustics design through the creation of a groundbreaking national noise model. DEFRA has delivered a world-first in national-scale acoustic modelling, creating a detailed noise map of 100% of England’s public roads and railways at 10-metre resolution. This innovative system transforms how noise exposure is understood, going beyond regulatory requirements to support better-informed, fairer policy decisions that can improve health and wellbeing across the country. The model captures lower noise levels than ever before and uses advanced Common Noise Assessment Methods in Europe (CNOSSOS) methodology, tailored to the UK through rigorous research. It allows for analysis in octave bands, tracks changes over time and supports future projections. Designed in a cloud environment, it is scalable, cost-effective and ensures long-term value by storing data in open formats for use by a wide range of stakeholders. Unlike previous approaches, DEFRA now owns the full modelling system – not just the outputs – enabling powerful scenario testing and exposure assessments for all 67 million people in England. The data feeds directly into national health impact tools and supports a proposed indicator to track progress over time. Every component has been independently reviewed by experts across acoustics, geospatial and digital disciplines.

 

This system supports local authorities with varying technical capacities and enables strategic and site-level assessments. It allows exploration of quieter, more tranquil areas and opens new opportunities for biodiversity and mental health research. Its modular design also creates potential for future environmental modelling beyond noise. Already adopted by the Scottish and Welsh governments and used by National Highways, the system is saving public money and enabling GB-wide consistency. Its adaptability is proven, with third parties applying the data in other software and contexts. This achievement reflects outstanding collaboration. Led by DEFRA and NCL, with delivery from Mott MacDonald, Acustica, NGIS and Stapelfeldt, the project exemplifies excellence in acoustic design and digital innovation. Receiving the award for DEFRA, Hilary Notley acknowledged the huge contribution made by the people who helped build the project and build the model. She said: “DEFRA couldn’t have done this project without the support of the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government or the many members of the IOA who helped to scope out the project at the start and provided some user research so that we knew that we were developing something that people would want to use. This was very much an industry effort and we are very grateful for all the help that we have had.”

 

UKAN

 

 

Above: (L-R) Donald McNeill, Richard Perkins, Hilary Notley and James Trow with DEFRA’s Peter Lord Award

 

UKAN’s citation: It is with great pleasure that the Institute of Acoustics presents the Peter Lord Award to the UK Acoustics Network (UKAN) for its outstanding contribution to acoustic innovation and collaboration across the United Kingdom. Under the leadership of Professor Kirill Horoshenkov and Professor Richard Craster supported by a strong academic management team, UKAN has transformed the landscape of acoustic research and practice in the UK. Since its inception in 2017 this remarkable initiative has united more than 1,900 members across academia and industry, breaking down traditional silos through 15 vibrant special interest groups. The network has facilitated 428 events, funded 18 pilot projects, supported 25 networking grants and enabled 230 travel opportunities for researchers.

 

This £2.4 million investment from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has advanced acoustic innovation with an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, dedicating significant resources to early career researchers and equality initiatives. The network’s collaborative spirit has directly contributed to major research funding achievements, including the Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Sound Futures, Noise Network Plus, Programme Grants and Fellowships. UKAN exemplifies Peter Lord’s vision of acoustic excellence and community building. The network’s impact on the £4.6 billion UK acoustics industry demonstrates how innovative networking can amplify scientific impact. We congratulate Professor Horoshenkov, Professor Craster, the academic management team, the volunteers leading all special interest groups and members who have made UKAN an exemplar of collaborative excellence in acoustics. Professor Horoshemkov accepted the award on behalf of UKAN and said: “It is not just me and Richard Craster, but all the UKAN management team, particularly Simon Chandler-Wilde who contributed significantly to making UKAN an exemplary network, copied by other networks sponsored by engineering and physical sciences. Since its inception in 2016, UKAN has been supported by IOA and we look forward to their continued support. Funding for UKAN+ ends in June 2025 and after that we will be integrating with the research co-ordination committee, meanwhile, the last UKAN+ initiative is to create a sound economics document to demonstrate a stronger case for funding more acoustics-led research in the UK.”

 

Richard Cowell Sustainability Award
This award is open to individuals or teams, who can demonstrate and provide evidence of one or more of the following:
* an exemplar contribution towards the delivery of sustainability; for today and for future generations;
* demonstration of value in all three key areas (societal, economic and environmental); and
* can clearly demonstrate a significant contribution – through education, design, construction practices or guidance – that promotes the implementation of sustainability through acoustics.
The Richard Cowell Award for Sustainability is given on a rolling basis to those who reach the bar (and not an annual award), as this will enable winners of each year’s cohort to have a recognised period as honoured members.

 

Peter Rogers

 

 

Above: Reena Mahtani and Peter Rogers. Peter won the Richard Cowell Sustainability and was nominated by Reena

 

Peter’s citation:
Peter Rogers has been given the Richard Cowell Sustainability Award for his outstanding commitment to sustainability and his efforts in promoting action in line with the United Nations sustainability goals. He has worked tirelessly on implementing green practices at his own company whilst championing the IOA and ANC’s respective transitions towards becoming more environmentally responsible. He has also taken this a step further by engaging with the IOA membership and providing tools that are accessible to everyone, first with the Sustainable Design Task Force, later in the Sustainability Working Group and now in the Parliamentary Liaison Group. Peter has made a significant impact in creating a healthier and more sustainable future. His dedication to promoting and implementing sustainability measures has set a benchmark in the industry, inspiring others to act for the preservation of our planet. With vision and determination, Peter exemplifies the principles of sustainability, leaving a legacy that benefits both present and future generations. 

 

Peter Barnett Award
Inaugurated in 2001 by the IOA Electroacoustics Group, this annual award honours Peter Barnett who died the previous year. It recognises advancements and technical excellence in the fields of electroacoustics, speech intelligibility and education in acoustics and electroacoustics. Peter had a wide range of interests in acoustics but primarily in the fields of electroacoustics and speech intelligibility. A stalwart of the Reproduced Sound series of conferences, he was known for his mathematical approach to problems.

 

Dr Soren Bech
Soren’s citation:
Dr Soren Bech’s extensive research in perceptual audio evaluation has provided the foundation for assessing audio system quality. His work in this field has been prolific and continues to be widely referenced. As a member and co-chair of ITU Study Groups, Dr Bech played a crucial role in drafting the first version of ITU-R Recommendation BS.1116 Methods for the Subjective Assessment of Small Impairments in Audio Systems, including Multichannel Sound Systems. This recommendation has stood the test of time and is still the recognised standard for the critical assessment of audio quality, particularly in the context of coding systems. Along with a few collaborators, Dr Bech determined the form and structure of the critical statistical analysis methodology that underpins the recommendation. His contributions extend beyond academia and standards development; two members of the Electroacoustic Group Committee have had direct experience of Dr Bech’s teaching, describing it as “highly impactful and insightful.” Bob Walker, who served alongside him on an ITU committee, found his contributions valuable. Dr Bech was also an active researcher in several international collaborative projects, including Archimedes (perception of reproduced sound in small rooms), which was a joint undertaking between the DUT, Bang and Olufsen of Denmark and KEF Electronics of England.

 

 

IOA Early Careers Award for Innovation in Acoustics
The annual IOA Early Careers Award for Innovation in Acoustics is awarded every year to recognise excellence and achievement within acoustics among those who are aged under 35 or early on in their careers in industry. It departs from the usual format in that it is also intended to increase awareness of the value of acoustic engineering and technology to the community at large.

 

Alec Korchev

 

 

Above: Alec Korchev with his Young Person Award for Innovation

 

Alec’s citation:
Alec Korchev is recognised with the Young Person Award for Innovation for his exceptional drive, insight and early-career impact within the field of acoustics. It was immediately apparent that Alec would be engaged, enthusiastic and driven. Clarke Saunders Acoustics offered him a position in early 2020 – just before the pandemic, but the company honoured the offer and took the risk of ‘onboarding’ him during lockdown. In a difficult situation, when others have wilted, Alec has thrived. He brings new energy and perspective to the teams he works in and is willing to challenge established working practices with unusually keen insight and focus. Alec has been instrumental in developing an area so niche that he has become the accepted authority both within the company and externally, to the extent that he is now pursuing it as a PhD project. Meanwhile, with an unusual level of involvement and contribution to both IOA and ANC activity for one so early in his career, Alec has accelerated development within the industry as well as being a valued and highly effective member of the consultancy team.

 

His rapid development as a key player, and his work on his PhD consultancy niche prompted Clarke Saunders to define a new grade, making Alec the company’s first ‘specialist consultant’, confident that his enthusiasm and drive will be a catalyst for others to attempt to follow suit. Interviewed after receiving his award, Alec said: “Acoustics is one of those fields that doesn’t get as much recognition as it deserves. Finding acoustics as a career path for me was truly life-changing and every day I am proud to do what I do; there’s so much variety in what we do and excitement about projects we get involved with – there’s never a dull moment.”

 

Honorary FIOA
The grade of Fellow is the senior professional class. Every candidate for election (or transfer) to the class of Fellow of the Institute, in the opinion of the Council, must have made a significant contribution to acoustics or to the profession of acoustics.

 

Dennis Baylis
Dennis’s citation:
Dennis’s dedication and unwavering commitment to the IOA will leave a lasting legacy, and his contributions have been fundamental to the continued success of the Acoustics Bulletin and other publications. Dennis has gone above and beyond his formal role as Advertising Manager, not only securing vital advertising revenue but also proactively participating in work that may not directly result in commission. His willingness to put in extra work exemplifies his commitment to the IOA’s success. He is highly respected for his professionalism, meticulous attention to detail and the accuracy of his reports. The IOA Publications Committee has greatly benefited from his clear and comprehensive data presentations, which include inflation adjustments and strategic insights to support decision-making. Dennis has also played a vital role in helping the IOA transition towards digital advertising, ensuring that publications remain relevant and financially viable in a changing media landscape. Dennis’s positive approach to collaboration and problem-solving makes him an asset to any team.

 

He is always available to support his colleagues, no matter the time of day, and his gentle, kind manner has fostered strong professional relationships. His retirement will undoubtedly leave a gap that will be challenging to fill. For these reasons, Dennis Baylis deserves the honorary fellowship. His contributions to the IOA have been significant and long-lasting and his professional and personal qualities have made a significant impact on everyone who has had the pleasure of working with him.

 

John Pritchard
John’s citation:
The award of HonFIOA for John Pritchard is well merited. John Pritchard joined the late Dr Mike Fillery at the University of Derby to teach acoustics-related courses. In 1989, with Dr Fillery, he initiated an MSc course in applied acoustics. Following the retirement of Dr Fillery, John became course leader, for the MSc and the Diploma and secured advanced standing for IOA Diploma holders so that they gain the MSc qualification in acoustics after being exempted from its first year. John helped to deliver the IOA Certificates of Competence in Workplace Noise Risk Assessment (CCWNRA) and in Environment Noise Measurement (CCENM) at the University of Derby since they were first introduced. Together with Alan Whitfield, John delivered the CCENM in the Birmingham area and was responsible for bespoke deliveries of the course for Local Authorities and for UK Coal.
 

John has served as an examiner for the Noise Control Engineering (NVCE) Module of the IOA Diploma and he has served as Chair of Education Committee, on Certificates of Competence committees and as Deputy Chief Examiner for the Diploma. John has been responsible for several teaching innovations at Derby and for the IOA. For Derby, during the pandemic years, he devised online tutorials, some of which were pre-recorded and involved writing on transparent glass screens. He has been an active supporter of the Midlands Branch of the IOA, including arranging for the University of Derby to host branch meetings on a regular basis. In summary John has been an outstanding IOA Diploma tutor for about 26 years. It is likely that without his dedication and commitment to the course, the Diploma would not be running at the University of Derby today. He has been an active member of the IOA Education Committee, serving as Chair and as Diploma examiner and contributing to the running of the IOA Diploma and Certificates in many ways. He has been instrumental in introducing acoustics content into other courses at the University of Derby and has been actively involved in IOA Midland Branch activities for many years.

 

Distinguished Services to IOA Award
The Award for Distinguished Services to the Institute was introduced so that the Institute could publicly acknowledge the debt owed to individual members who have provided sustained assistance over the years in some way with the running of the Institute.

 

Mike Breslin

 

 

Above: Professor David Waddington with Mike Breslin and his Distinguished Services to the IOA Award

 

Mike’s citation:
Mike, a stalwart of the acoustics industry, boasts an impressive three decades of commitment. His contributions to the IOA have certainly made their mark and his active involvement as a committee member spans three branches (Southern, Midlands and Central) and his insights have shaped the organisation’s direction. His role within the IOA Measurement and Instrumentation Group expresses his technical knowledge and his passion for precision have elevated the field. Whether on stage at conferences or through the pages of the Acoustics Bulletin, Mike’s thought- provoking contributions resonate and his knowledge-sharing enriches the community. When faced with challenges, Mike links individuals to solutions, fostering collaboration and growth, many people call him for technical and career guidance. Mike has consistently backed the IOA’s endeavors and his sponsorship through ANV Measurement Systems has bolstered critical initiatives. In summary, Mike embodies the spirit of the acoustics industry, weaving together expertise, generosity and a genuine desire to empower others.

 

David Trew
David’s citation:
David shows the values and spirit of the IOA through his dedicated service. A highly accomplished consultant and recognised expert across several fields of acoustics, David has risen to the level of partner within his organisation – a testament to his professional excellence and leadership. What truly sets David apart, however, is his tireless commitment to supporting the work of the IOA. He has volunteered his time consistently and generously, balancing his demanding professional responsibilities with a deep sense of duty to the acoustics community. David has played an active role at branch and committee level, as well as serving on working groups. The IOA is proud to recognise David’s outstanding service and commitment. His ongoing contributions continue to strengthen the IOA and support its mission to advance acoustics for public benefit. He is a truly deserving recipient of this award.

 

 

Timothy Ward
Timothy’s citation:
While at HSE, Timothy Ward provided an essential link to HSE policies and guidance. As Chair of the Certificate of Competence in Workplace Noise Risk Assessment (CCWNRA) management Committee, despite the many other pressures on his time since working for Finch Consulting, Tim has guided the extensive discussions related to revisions to syllabus content and delivery that might help to improve recruitment. He led discussions in further developing CCWNRA course to make it accessible to a wider audience while maintaining its status as a valuable qualification and he proposed changes to the syllabus with the aim of streamlining and making the course more focused. Tim has constantly striven to ensure that the course exam and practical elements best show that candidates will be able to fulfil the role of a noise competent person. His continued service, thoughtful leadership and collaborative approach make him a highly deserving recipient of this award.

 

Geoff Kerry Award
The Geoff Kerry Award for Distinguished Long Service to the Institute acknowledges publicly the debt owed to individual members who have served the Institute in various ways for normally 20 years but no less than 15. The award is given to recognise significant contributions in any capacity, for example, by serving on Council, committees or working groups, being honorary officers or assisting with conference organisation or other projects.

 

Martin Lester
Martin’s citation:
Martin became a student member of the IOA in 1985 and assisted with the Spring and Autumn Conferences between 1985 and 1989. In 1986, he joined the North-West Branch committee and served as Hon Treasurer until 1997, when he moved to Northern Ireland. He became a member of the IOA in 1988 and a registered chartered engineer through the IOA scheme in 1997. In 1998, Martin joined the newly formed Irish Branch committee, serving as Hon Treasurer in 2001, Acting Chairman in 2004, and Chairman from 2006 to 2020. He was elected to the IOA Council in 2007 and served as Honorary Treasurer from 2009 to 2015. Martin organised significant events, including the 2002 Irish Branch meeting on road traffic noise and the 2005 joint Irish and Scottish Branch meeting on sound insulation. He also tutored the IOA Diploma course on Noise and Vibration Control Engineering in 2008-09.

 

In 2015, Martin was elected an Honorary Fellow of the IOA for his extensive service. He joined the Meetings Committee in 2015 and has chaired the annual conference since 2016, also managing ICSV 24 in 2017 and Internoise 2022. Re-elected to the IOA Council in 2016, Martin resumed his role as Honorary Treasurer in 2020 and served until 2024. Over his 16 years on the IOA Council, he spent 10 years as Honorary Treasurer. During the pandemic, Martin assisted with the weekly Zoom Member’s Forum meetings and contributed to the joint ANC and IOA information documents. For his many years of service and dedication, the Institute is delighted to present the Geoff Kerry Long Service to the Institute Award to Martin Lester.

 

Promoting Acoustics to the Public Award
The Award for Promoting Acoustics to the Public has been created to encourage activity that generates greater awareness of the importance of acoustics outside the acoustics’ fraternity, that is to people without acoustical expertise. The award may recognise either a single piece of outstanding work or sustained long-term activity.

 

Edinburgh Science

 

 

Above: The team from Edinburgh Science collecting their Promoting Acoustics to the Public Award

 

Edinburgh Science’s citation: Through their work with the IOA, Edinburgh Science have undoubtably done much to promote acoustics to the public between 2017 and 2024, however, the focus of the nomination for this award is really on the work conducted during the pandemic years. The moving lock, stock and barrel of the careers hive into the fully virtual environment was a great achievement and resulted in a higher engagement with pupils from high- Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) schools than pre-covid. They also managed to run a successful virtual event for the public with professional volunteers (including acousticians) taking part to engage with the public. Their work was also notable through the rapid development of boxes and downloadable/online video content etc to be sent out to teachers to teach the generation science with their pupils offline/ without science communicators on site. And again, this content was available to the public and to parents for home learning for free. Without this work, acoustics would have had much less of a presence in schools and homes and with the public during this difficult time for science engagement and Edinburgh Science deserve to be recognised for going above and beyond what they were engaged by the IOA to do.

 

 

Rounding up
In his closing speech, Professor David Waddington, IOA President, said: “It has been a true pleasure to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our award recipients – the dedication, innovation and service inspires us all. Today, we have honoured some outstanding contributions to acoustics and we have reaffirmed the strength and vibrancy of our community, so as we move forward let us continue to foster collaboration, encourage innovation and uphold the highest standards of excellence.”

 

Footnote
1. An h-index is an author-level metric that measures both the productivity and citation impact of the publications, initially used for an individual scientist or scholar.