Professor Adisa Azapagic MBE has been presented with the Institution for Chemical Engineer’s (IChemE) most prestigious medal in recognition of her outstanding contributions in the sector.
The IChemE Davis Medal is awarded to an eminent individual who has rendered exceptional service to chemical engineering. Professor Azapagic is the first woman to ever be presented with the prize.
The award honours George E Davis, the founding father of the profession, and is not given more frequently than every three years; the previous medal was awarded in 2016.
The medal was presented by IChemE Past President David Bogle, prior to Professor Azapagic’s keynote lecture delivered at the European Congress of Chemical Engineering in Berlin, today, 18 September 2023.
He said: “I am proud to present Adisa with the Davis Medal on behalf of IChemE in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the profession and the enormously positive impact of her achievements. Sustainability and systems thinking are central to the modern discipline of chemical engineering, and her work exemplifies this instrumental approach.”
Globally, Adisa was the first appointed Professor of Sustainable Chemical Engineering. Based at The University of Manchester, she is pre-eminent for her work on sustainable production and consumption and is particularly known for her leadership in, and contributions to, carbon footprinting, life cycle assessment, and sustainability, for which she was awarded an MBE in 2019.
She has published over 200 journal papers, three books, and has delivered numerous plenary and keynote lectures worldwide. With two honorary doctorates and an H-index of 76, her work has significantly impacted industry and has helped to inform national and international policy.
In her many public and media engagements, she has acted as a role model, helping to inform consumers about what they can do for sustainability, as well as demonstrating how chemical engineers contribute to sustainable development in practice, building a positive public perception of our discipline.
Professor Azapagic said: “I am delighted that my work on sustainable chemical engineering has been recognised by this high accolade named after the founder of our discipline George E. Davis. This award is particularly dear to me as Davis held his first lectures in chemical engineering at Manchester. I am also thankful to my group Sustainable Industrial Systems at The University of Manchester and many academic and industrial collaborators who contributed to and supported my work over the years.”
