The Worshipful Company of Engineers Mercia Award 2014

The Mercia Award is given for a postgraduate paper describing how engineering techniques are being used for the advancement of medical treatment. 

The Worshipful Company of Engineers Mercia Award 2014

The Worshipful Company of Engineers is one of the City of London Livery Companies, membership reflecting a balance between the principal disciplines of the Engineering profession. The objects of the Company include the development and advancement of the science, art and practice of engineering for the benefit of the public. Through its Charitable Trust fund, the Company gives awards and prizes to encourage excellence amongst qualified engineers and those in training and education.

The Mercia Award in Medical Engineering is made annually to a student (including students successfully completing their postgraduate studies in 2013) under 30 to provide a bursary of £500 towards the cost of a taught or research programme of postgraduate studies in Medical Engineering.

Megan Duffy (pictured) won the 2013 award for her paper describing the potential of one of the new frontiers of medical technology – High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound. Megan is an NHS Clinical Scientist trainee at King’s College Hospital and is studying for an MSc in Clinical Sciences at King’s College London, specialising in Medical Engineering Design and Software Development. She graduated with an MEng in Engineering Science from Wadham College, University of Oxford having won the prize for the best project in Electronic Communications and an IET Women in Engineering scholarship, for the duration of her studies. She demonstrates outstanding potential in the field of medical engineering.

Megan was awarded a bursary of £500 together with a certificate and medal at the Company’s Awards Livery Dinner held on 9th July 2013 at Merchant Taylors’Hall, in recognition of her achievement.

The closing date for applications for the 2014 award is 31 January 2014, and candidates must be aged under 30 as at 30 June 2014.

Direct applications are not accepted; a candidate must be nominated by the University responsible for the programme, and not more than one candidate may be nominated by any Department in any one year. There is no formal application form; candidates are required to submit a CV together with a paper of not more than 1500 words, describing how engineering techniques are being used for the advancement of medical treatment, either within their own postgraduate project/​research work or more generally.

Submissions should consist of a single paper copy and an electronic copy via e mail, and should be accompanied by a formal letter of nomination from the candidate’s supervisor or Head of Department.

Selection will be carried out by a panel established by the Worshipful Company of Engineers. Heads of Department will be asked to provide a supporting statement for shortlisted candidates and the final selection may include formal interview if deemed necessary.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated high academic ability and a vision, enthusiasm, and commitment to the application of engineering within medicine or public health. The Award will be formally presented at the Company’s Awards dinner, to be held in one of the City’s Livery Halls in July 2014.

The Awards Coordinator for further enquiries and applications is: 

Professor Peter Bullen

Worshipful Company of Engineers, 48 Lyndhurst Gardens, Finchley, London. N3 1TD. e mail: peter_bullen@lineone.net