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University of York scientist wins prestigious award

Posted on 16 October 2023

Nuclear physicist Professor David Jenkins has been awarded the 2023 Institute of Physics Ernest Rutherford medal and prize.

Professor David Jenkins

Professor Jenkins has received this prestigious award for his work as a research leader who has made outstanding contributions to experimental nuclear physics, nuclear applications and widening participation in physics.

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics, and the leading body for practising physicists, in the UK and Ireland.

The Ernest Rutherford medal and Prize is named after the eponymous New Zealand physicist, who was a pioneering researcher in both atomic and nuclear physics. Rutherford has been described as "the father of nuclear physics". 

Collaborators

Professor Jenkins, Head of the Nuclear Physics group in the School of Physics Engineering and Technology at the University of York, said: “I am honoured to receive this year’s Rutherford Medal and Prize. I want to acknowledge all the contributions to my work from staff and, especially, students at York as well as my international collaborators.”

Under his leadership, the nuclear physics group has grown to be the largest in the UK with flourishing research programmes in experimental nuclear physics, nuclear theory, nuclear astrophysics and hadron physics. The IOP commended Professor Jenkins for building bridges between these interlinked themes that are answering key questions related to the nature of nucleon–nucleon correlations, fission in nuclei and the physics of neutron stars.

Widening participation

Professor Jenkins is also recognised for his contribution to widening participation. He held a Science and Technology Facilities Council Science-in-Society fellowship and worked with the National Science Learning Centre in York to provide continuous professional development courses for school teachers on nuclear physics.

In the last five years, he has been leading Global Challenges Research Fund projects with the University of the Western Cape and the University of Zululand in South Africa. Students from these historically disadvantaged universities have come to York to receive training in detector development and nuclear applications. Funding has been used to develop the Modern African Nuclear DEtector LAboratory (MANDELA) across the South African universities providing a strong legacy.

Impact

Congratulating this year’s Award winners, Institute of Physics President, Professor Sir Keith Burnett said: “On behalf of the Institute of Physics, I want to congratulate all of this year’s award winners. Each one has made a significant and positive impact in their profession, whether as a researcher, teacher, industrialist, technician or apprentice and I hope they are incredibly proud of their achievements.

“There is so much focus today on the opportunities generated by a career in physics and the potential our science has to transform our society and economy and I hope the stories of our winners will help to inspire future generations of scientists.  

Dedication

Professor Andy Dougill, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of York, added: “I would like to congratulate Professor Jenkins on this well-deserved award. His exceptional work as a research leader in experimental nuclear physics and nuclear applications has pioneered new techniques and significantly advanced scientific understanding in the field.

“Professor Jenkins’ dedication to widening participation in physics both in the UK and internationally is truly commendable. His commitment to inspiring the next generation of scientists and bringing the excitement of fundamental science to the wider public strongly resonates with our values as a diverse and inclusive institution that carries out research for public good.”

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