Researchers honoured by The Royal Society

The outstanding achievements of three UCL researchers have been recognised by The Royal Society, the UK's national Academy of science, in this year's Awards and Prizes announcement. Professor Jon Agar (UCL Science & Technology Studies) has won the Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal and Lecture in recognition of his work as a leading figure in the history and philosophy of science, publishing ground breaking research on issues including twentieth-century science and technology, the origins of computing, and history of radio astronomy. Professor Agar writes on contemporary technologies, including mobile phones and ID cards, and the history of modern science and technology. Professor Agar said: 'I am delighted and humbled to be awarded the Wilkins-Medawar-Bernal prize by the Royal Society. Bernal asked how science should work within wider society, and that is a question that I continue to ask. The award is welcome recognition of contextual history of twentieth-century science and technology, of which I am one practitioner among many.' As part of the award Professor Agar will give the annual Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar lecture in 2017 on an aspect of the social function, philosophy or history of science. Professor Jonathan Ashmore (UCL Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology and UCL Ear Institute) has been awarded the Croonian Medal and Lecture for his significant contributions to the field of sensory neuroscience, shaping our current understanding of inner ear physiology and in particular for his analysis of the role of cochlear hair cells in normal hearing.