News Release

Science and engineering stars shine

Grant and Award Announcement

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

The UK's top inspirational scientists and engineers were celebrated at the House of Commons RISE Awards Reception last night with RISE Leaders and RISE Fellows honoured. The next generation of future leaders were named as Rising Stars - with the top three receiving prizes worth £21,000 in total.

The winners of the Rising Stars awards are: Dr Piers Barnes from Imperial College London, whose prize is to deliver the RISE Award lecture at the British Science Festival; Dr Marianne Ellis from the University of Bath who wins a travel grant; and Peter Shadbolt who has recently moved to Imperial College from the University of Bristol, who wins a British Science Festival Media Fellowship hosted by The Conversation.

The winners were chosen after pitching to an eminent panel of judges. All of the ten Rising Stars, who are at early stages of their careers, were nominated by the RISE Leaders for their qualities of leadership, communication skills and ability to inspire others.

Professor Philip Nelson, Chief Executive of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council said: "The wealth of talent the RISE Awards shows is truly impressive and heartening. These are the strong, inspirational leaders who can ensure the long-term health of UK science and engineering."

The RISE Awards celebrate the inspirational scientists and engineers leading innovation in engineering and physical sciences. The campaign is being run by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering to celebrate the 20th anniversary of EPSRC.

In addition to the RISE Leaders, the nominees who are Fellows of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Medical Sciences are being celebrated as RISE Fellows. During the next stage of the RISE campaign, high profile public figures are appointed as RISE Champions and paired with RISE Leaders. Follow the stories that emerge on the EPSRC website. Philip Greenish CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering said: "Pairing world class science and engineering researchers with eminent figures from the worlds of politics and journalism is an opportunity for cross-fertilisation of ideas that could not be so simply achieved otherwise.

"This is a clear example of how RISE, part of the Engineering for Growth campaign, is bringing engineering to the heart of society."

Notes to Editors:

RISE Leaders, RISE Champions and Rising Stars

RISE Leader RISE Champion Rising Stars Nominated by RISE Leaders
Professor Jim Al-Khalili University of Surrey Liam Byrne, MP Shadow Minister, Dept for Business, Innovation and Skills Dr Radu Sporea University of Surrey
Professor Sadie Creese University of Oxford James Quinault, Cabinet Office, Director OCSIA (Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance) Dr Jason Nurse University of Oxford
Professor Lee Cronin University of Glasgow Dave Allen, Head GSK Respiratory Therapy Unit Dr Oren Scherman University of Cambridge
Professor Harald Haas University of Edinburgh Jonathan Legh-Smith, Head of Partnerships and Strategic Research, BT Dr Lev Sarkisov, University of Edinburgh
Professor Stephen Haake Sheffield Hallam University Sir John Armitt, Chairman of the Council of the City and Guilds of London Institute Dr Jon Wheat Sheffield Hallam University
Professor Jenny Nelson Imperial College London Zac Goldsmith, MP Dr Piers Barnes Imperial College London
Professor Jeremy O'Brien University of Bristol Danny Finkelstein, Executive Editor, The Times Peter Shadbolt University of Bristol on secondment with Imperial College London
Professor Rodrigo Quian Quiroga University of Leicester Professor John Perkins, Chief Scientific Adviser, Dept Business, Innovation and Skills. Dr Hernan Rey University of Leicester
Professor Kevin Shakesheff University of Nottingham Professor Jeremy Farrar, Director, Wellcome Trust Dr Marianne Ellis University of Bath
Professor Rachel Williams University of Liverpool Sir Mark Walport, Government Chief Scientific Adviser Dr Paolo Paoletti University of Liverpool

The judging panel for the Rising Star Awards was comprised of: Professor David Delpy, former CEO of EPSRC; Imran Khan, CEO the British Science Association; Dr Sarah Main, Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering; Dr Claire Craig, Deputy Head, Government Office for Science; and Professor Mark E Smith, Vice Chancellor, Lancaster University. RISE is an acronym for Recognising Inspirational Scientists and Engineers

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For media enquiries and images contact the EPSRC Press Office email: pressoffice@epsrc.ac.uk or telephone: 01793 444 404.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK's main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences. EPSRC invests around £800 million a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone's health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK.

Royal Academy of Engineering

As the UK's national academy for engineering, we bring together the most successful and talented engineers for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering. We provide analysis and policy support to promote the UK's role as a great place to do business. We take a lead on engineering education and we invest in the UK's world-class research base to underpin innovation. We work to improve public awareness and understanding of engineering. We are a national academy with a global outlook. We have four strategic challenges: Drive faster and more balanced economic growth; foster better education and skills; lead the profession; promote engineering at the heart of society.

Engineering for Growth is a partnership campaign to demonstrate the contribution of engineering to the UK economy and society. This involves promoting the economic impact and societal benefits delivered by engineering; raising awareness of the issues that explore how engineering could make a bigger contribution; and increasing the profile of EfG partners and supporters' activities that will help create growth in the economy.


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