Three new medals were presented by the Royal Society of New Zealand at the 2011 New Zealand Research Honours event last night, two for science related work and one for humanities research.
The inaugural Callaghan Medal for an outstanding contribution to science communication was presented to Professor Sir Peter Gluckman KNZM, FRS, FRSNZ, the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor. It recognises his achievement in science communication, in particular raising public awareness of the value of science to human progress.
The medal is named after renowned New Zealand physicist Professor Sir Paul Callaghan who is himself regarded as a consummate science communicator.
Dr Garth Carnaby, President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, said Professor Sir Peter Gluckman has had a wide-ranging influence on attitudes to science.
“We have seen a shift in New Zealand politics about the value of science and this is largely due to the contributions of Sir Peter.”
He paid tribute to Sir Peter’s exceptional communication skills based on his experience as a world leading medical scientist, his scientific knowledge, and his national and international networks.
Professor Sir Peter Gluckman was appointed in 2009 as the first Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, and was the co-founder of the Liggins Institute at The University of Auckland where he continues to work as a researcher.
The inaugural MacDiarmid Medal was presented to Dr Gary Evans of Industrial Research Limited. Dr Evans is a chemist who has pioneered the design and synthesis of new pharmaceuticals for the treatment of major diseases.
Dr Garth Carnaby, President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, said Dr Evans’s world leading research has resulted in clinical trials of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of gout, psoriasis and cancer of the immune system.
“The success demonstrated to date in these trials is a testament to Dr Evans’s ability to undertake excellent science, both personally and as the leader of a research team, and to implement this science for the benefit of human health.”
To enable uptake of this research Dr Evans has developed strong relationships with key international research agencies, particularly the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
He has also developed drugs that are in preclinical development for treating malaria, bacterial infections and solid tumour cancers.
The new medal is named after Professor Alan MacDiarmid, a New Zealander who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2000. He died in 2007. He was an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand. The medal will be awarded annually by the Royal Society of New Zealand to a researcher in New Zealand for undertaking “outstanding scientific research that demonstrates the potential for application to human benefit”.
The inaugural Humanities Aronui Medal was presented to Professor Jim Flynn FRSNZ of the Department of Politics at the University of Otago for his outstanding work in political philosophy.
Professor Flynn is best known for his discovery of historical gains in IQ, now known as ‘the Flynn Effect’. In brief, this states that IQ scores increase over time, a finding that has had far-reaching implications. It continues to be one of the most highly cited discoveries to originate from New Zealand in the 20th century.
Dr Garth Carnaby, President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, said Professor Flynn has produced a very impressive body of work in political philosophy. “His research into nature/nurture and IQ has received worldwide acclaim. He has written extensively about the relationship between the IQ gains he has discovered and issues of democracy, equality and human rights. In addition, he has challenged fundamental theoretical assumptions about intelligence.”
The Humanities Aronui Medal will be awarded annually for research or innovative work of outstanding merit in the discipline. This will include conventional academic research and work in the creative arts. The disciplines of the Humanities include languages, history, religion, philosophy, law, classics, linguistics, literature, cultural studies, media studies, art history, film and drama.
DESIGN INFORMATION
Design of the Callaghan Medal
The Callaghan Medal was designed by Phillip O’Shea, the New Zealand Herald of Arms. He has designed many New Zealand medals including several for the Royal Society of New Zealand.
The front of the medal shows Professor Sir Paul Callaghan FRSNZ, FRS and is based on several photographs and an oil portrait held by the Royal Society of New Zealand. He is wearing a GNZM label badge.
The reverse side alludes to Callaghan being a New Zealand nuclear physicist with an interest in the outdoors. It shows a Hector’s Dolphin within three ovals representing the electron orbital path. The traditional electron has been given a New Zealand flavour with the addition of the koru.
The Hector’s Dolphin is named after Sir James Hector and Sir Paul Callaghan is a previous recipient of the Hector Medal of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
The dolphin symbol is significant for this new science communication award as the Hector’s Dolphin emits sounds that are thought to be used for communication, notably the complex clicks produced in large groups. It is also a universal symbol signifying speed and diligence.
Design of the MacDiarmid Medal
The MacDiarmid Medal was designed by Phillip O’Shea, the New Zealand Herald of Arms. He has designed many New Zealand medals including several for the Royal Society of New Zealand.
The front of the medal shows Professor Alan MacDiarmid, FRS, Hon FRSNZ, wearing his Nobel Laureate lapel badge and the neck badge of the Member of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ).
The elements incorporated into the other side of the medal include a sunburst, symbolising the universe and the universal standing of Alan MacDiarmid. It is also representative of him being active as a naturist or sun-worshipper.
The four stars symbolise wisdom and human aspiration. More specifically they represent the constellation of the Southern Cross, found on the New Zealand flag, as well as the stars on the flags of the USA and Texas where Alan MacDiarmid spent much of his working life. A star is also found on his Hutt Valley High School badge. They also allude to his four children.
Design of the Humanities Aronui Medal
The woven kete (bag) represents the Kete Aronui, the kit of knowledge that was brought back from the heavens by Tanenuiarangi. The traditional poutama design of the weaving merges with modern symbols of knowledge – the new culture linking to the old. The theme of Aronui ‘knowledge that makes us human’ is signified by the many faces but brought down to the individual in the single fingerprint on the reverse.
The medal has been cast in bronze and patinated brown and is 100mm in diameter. It was designed in Paris by internationally renowned artist, Marianne Fountain, a graduate of The University of Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Arts.
