Hughes Medal
This medal is awarded to an outstanding researcher in the field of energy.
Opening date
Closing date
Winners announcement
The award
The Hughes Medal is awarded for outstanding contributions in the field of energy. The award was named after the scientistDavid E Hughes FRS and was first awarded in 1902. Hughes was a Welsh-American scientist and musician who invented the first working radio communication system and the first microphone. The medal is of silver gilt, is awarded annually and is accompanied by a gift of £2,000.
Eligibility
The Hughes medal is open to UK/Commonwealth/Republic of Ireland citizens or those who have been residents for three or more years. There are no restrictions on career stage and nominations will remain valid and shall be considered by the award selection committee throughout three nomination cycles. Teams or groups may now be nominated for this award.
Nominations are open
Nominations are nowopen and will close on 20 February 2026.
Past winners
Awarded in2024Professor Linda Faye Nazar FRS FRSC OC
For her seminal contributions to the field of solid-state electrochemistry, and electrochemical energy storage.
Awarded in2023Professor Erwin Reisner
For pioneering new concepts and solar technologies for the production of sustainable fuels and chemicals from carbon dioxide, biomass and plastic waste.
Awarded in2022Professor Saiful Islam
For outstanding contributions to the deeper understanding of atomistic processes in new materials for use in energy applications, especially those related to lithium batteries and perovskite solar cells.
Awarded in2021Professor John Irvine
For the introduction of new concepts in Energy Materials science, including novel ionic conductors, electrodes for solid oxide fuel cells, alternative batteries and emergent nanomaterials.
Awarded in2020Professor Clare Grey FRS
For her pioneering work on the development and application of new characterization methodology to develop fundamental insight into how batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells operate.
Awarded in2019Professor Andrew Cooper FRS
For the design and synthesis of new classes of organic materials with applications in energy storage, energy production and energy-efficient separations.- Awarded in2018
Professor James Durrant CBE FRS
For his distinguished photochemical studies for the design solar energy devices, particularly by transient spectroscopic studies of dye sensitized solar cells and of photoelectrochemical water splitting. - Awarded in2017
Sir Peter Bruce FRS
For his distinguished work elucidating the fundamental chemistry underpinning energy storage. - Awarded in2015
Professor George Efstathiou FRS
For many outstanding contributions to our understanding of the early Universe, in particular his pioneering computer simulations, observations of galaxy clustering and studies of the fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background. - Awarded in2013
Professor Henning Sirringhaus FRS
For his pioneering development of inkjet printing processes for organic semiconductor devices, and dramatic improvement of their functioning and efficiency. - Awarded in2011
Professor Matthew Rosseinsky OBE FRS
For his highly influential discoveries in the synthetic chemistry of solid state electronic materials and novel microporous structures. - Awarded in2010
Sir Andre Geim FRS
For his revolutionary discovery of graphene, and elucidation of its remarkable properties.