Department of Materials Reader in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at Loughborough University, Dr Rebecca Higginson was honoured this week by being awarded the Stokowiec Medal and prize by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).

The Medal was awarded in recognition of distinguished work related to the technical, manufacturing, processing or engineering application of alloy steels, including stainless steels.

The Medal is a biennual award and was presented to Dr Higginson by Martin Cox (IOM3 President), at the Iron and Steel Society Award Presentations, which were included as part of the Sir Henry Bessemer Annual Dinner, held at Swansea Waterfront Museum in conjunction with the SWMA (South Wales Materials Association.)

Rebecca started her academic career, graduating from University College Swansea in 1992, winning the British Steel Travel Award for her practical work.

She went on to study for her PhD at Birmingham University on the ‘The Effect of Small Second Phase Particles on the Recrystallisation and Grain Growth in Aluminium,’ sponsored by Alcan.

In 1995 she became a Post Doctoral Research Associate at Sheffield University working on the thermomechanical processing of stainless steels and aluminium alloys. Whilst at Sheffield she took a part time Postgraduate Diploma in Education.

In 2001 Rebecca became a Lecturer in Metallurgy at Loughborough University, promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2007 and Reader in 2015.

Rebecca stated in response to receiving this award:

"I am very pleased and proud to be awarded the Stokowiec Medal and prize by the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining for my research on steel and stainless steel.  I have carried out considerable work in this field over my career and to have this recognised in this way is a great honour." 

The Department of Materials offers congratulations to Dr Higginson on receiving this prestigious award.