The IAAPS community came together in December for an end of year celebration, an event designed to bring colleagues together to reflect on the past year, share successes, and look ahead to the opportunities and priorities shaping the year to come, with some festive cheer and acknowledgement of the exceptional work taking place across IAAPS.
The Academic Forum
The event opened with the Academic Forum which highlighted the breadth of activity across IAAPS, with colleagues sharing updates on research achievements, international secondments, placements, outreach, experimental progress, and publications and grants. We were also joined by several IAAPS alumni, who reflected on their PhD journeys and shared insights into their current roles.
Celebrating Excellence: IAAPS Institute Academic Awards
A highlight of the forum was the presentation of the first IAAPS Academic Annual Awards, recognising individuals and teams who have made exceptional contributions throughout the year to research, collaboration, communication and collegiality. This year's winners exemplify the creativity, dedication, and community spirit that define IAAPS.
Bold Publishing Award
Winner: Joe Dawe
- Joe has taken bold steps during his PhD to broaden his publishing horizons, submitting work to Journal of Fluid Mechanics, AIAA Journal, and Proceedings of the Royal Society all prestigious Q1 journals and new territory for his supervisory team. His drive to reach new audiences and embrace ambitious publication goals made him a standout nominee.
Collegiality Award
Winners: James Burge and Paloma Santana Rodriguez
- James was recognised for his unwavering positivity and willingness to accommodate a wide range of demands, James continually goes above and beyond to find solutions, often putting in extra time without seeking recognition.
- Paloma was celebrated for her proactive support across both sites, consistently going out of her way and frequently proposing helpful tasks and ways in which she could help. Paloma brings a cheerful, collegiate spirit to every interaction.
Connector Award
Winner: Rob Gray
- Rob has repeatedly demonstrated an exceptional ability to bring people together, fostering meaningful partnerships that strengthen the IAAPS community. His work consistently drives IAAPS toward greater cohesion.
Global Partnerships Award
Winner: Jiawen Xi
- Jiawen's ability to coordinate effectively with international stakeholders has created valuable opportunities for shared learning and operational improvement. Her work bridges cultural and organisational differences, fostering a productive environment that allows teams to work together enabling seamless global collaboration.
Interdisciplinary Innovator Award
Winners: Josh Bird, Thomas Nicholas, Song Yang, and Nouf Zaghloul
- Despite challenges, including the loss of industrial funders, this team demonstrated resilience and interdisciplinary excellence by repositioning their project as PHOENIX with Airbus. Their dedication and high‑quality work were key to securing continued support and driving the project forward.
Research Communicator Award
Winners: Sam Bull and Ruth Gibson
- Sam was recognised for significant contributions to national‑scale outreach activities, including bringing a major school‑focused engineering event to the University earlier this year.
- Ruth was celebrated for her innovative engagement with young people using creative methods to explore their visions for future transport. Her work, inspired by public engagement collaborations, fills a crucial gap in both IAAPS operations and wider research literature.
MVP Award
Winner: Davide Di Blasio
- Chosen by the IAAPS Executive Team, Davide was recognised for embodying the spirit of all award categories. Davide received multiple nominations across categories and is a constant presence in both the research and social life of IAAPS. His broad engagement across both sites, combined with his collaborative spirit, made him the clear choice for this year's MVP.
Full Institute Update
The event concluded with strategic updates and reflections from Richard Burke, Rob Oliver, and Chris Brace, who outlined progress across the Institute and set out the direction for IAAPS in the coming year.