The search is on for Irish-born scientists working outside of Ireland who may be eligible for the 2005 Boyle Medal award for excellence in scientific research. Open to any scientist who has made ground-breaking research discoveries while abroad, the winner will be brought to an award presentation in Dublin next autumn. Dick Ahlstrom reports.
The Medal was inaugurated by the RDS in 1899 to recognise "scientific research of exceptional merit carried out in Ireland" and during its first century 32 medals were presented to some of Ireland's leading scientists. It takes its name from one of Ireland's most famous scientists, Robert Boyle (1627-1691), often described as the father of modern chemistry.
The RDS and The Irish Times decided in the Medal's centenary year to relaunch the Boyle programme. The award is now given every second year, alternating between an Irish-born scientist who has achieved world recognised research successes abroad and a researcher of any nationality conducting exceptional research on the island of Ireland.
The 2005 Boyle will celebrate work done by an Irish scientist employed abroad. The decision to provide an award for Irish scientists working outside Ireland was taken to mark the undoubted success many of our émigrés have had on the world scientific stage.
The recipient of the 2005 award must be an Irish-born scientist currently working outside of the island of Ireland. He/she will have completed scientific work of exceptional merit and will have made a significant contribution to scientific knowledge.
Scientists may not nominate themselves for the award. Applications will only be accepted from designated nominators and must meet the criteria indicated on the nomination form, a copy of which may be printed from either The Irish Times or the RDS web sites (indicated below).
Applications must come from the president or head of a college, faculty or research institute. Nominations may also come from the managing director or head of research function within a company on behalf of an employee or from the secretary of a professional body.
A two-part judging process follows with an initial judging round producing a shortlist of no more than five individuals and then an international panel of independent judges making the final selection.
The initial judging panel will consist of up to 10 people. The RDS Science Committee and The Irish Times will each nominate one judge with the remainder being selected from across the scientific disciplines. This panel will be chaired by Prof Dervilla Donnelly and will compile a shortlist of up to five finalists.
An international panel of up to five judges will then be selected to assess the shortlisted nominees and will choose an overall winner. The international peers will be selected to reflect the scientific disciplines of the shortlisted nominees.
No nomination may be accepted from a board member, director, or a member of staff of the RDS, The Irish Times, or from a member of the judging panel.
The Boyle Medal award programme is part of a continuing effort by the RDS and The Irish Times to promote the value and benefits of scientific research to the widest audience possible. The two organisations arrange a series of public scientific lectures featuring well-known commentators and experts. Most of the lectures are provided free of charge.
An annual "demonstration" lecture is also staged each year, geared to spark an interest in the sciences among junior- and senior-cycle pupils.
The closing date for Boyle Medal nominations is March 1st, 2005.
More information, copies of the rules and nomination forms are available from either www.ireland.com or from www.rds.ie by clicking on the Boyle Medal button. Nomination forms are also available by post by contacting The Irish Times at (01) 6758709 or the RDS at (01) 2407217.