The Sir Frank Whittle Medal is awarded annually by the Royal Academy of Engineering to an engineer, normally resident in the United Kingdom, for outstanding and sustained achievement which has contributed to the well-being of the nation. The field of activity in which the medal is awarded changes annually.
Named after Sir Frank Whittle, the award was instituted in 2001.
Previous winners:
+ Sir Frank Whittle Medal winnersYearNameTopics2001Professor Tim Berners-Leefor creating the World Wide Web.2002Professor John Ffowcs Williamsfor contributions to the foundations and applications of Aeroacoustics, which have enabled dramatic reductions in the noise of aircraft and submarines.2003Professor Roland Cliftfor his leading role in developing the holistic life cycle assessment of products - cradle to grave analysis - and the recognition of environmental and social issues.2004Professor Ian Youngfor pioneering work on magnetic resonance imaging.2005Professor Emeritus Peter John Lawrensonfor engineering innovations in energy.2006Michael Ramsayfor pioneering the TiVo technology.2007Mike Gloverfor planning, design and construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Project (High Speed 1).2008Peter Headfor helping to deliver an environmentally sustainable built environment in a rapidly urbanising world.2009Professor Sir Michael Bradyfor his contributions to medical analysis.2010Professor Sir Richard Feachemfor his engineering-based approach to managing aid and controlling virulent diseases.2012Dan Chambersfor his product design, innovation and manufacture of specialised sports equipment such as racing wheelchairs.2013Professor Lin Lifor laser cleaning techniques.2014Professor Peter Wells for outstanding achievements in medical engineering.2015Professor Peter Clarricoatsfor his influential achievements in microwave engineering.2016Professor Roger Sargentfor championing the application of mathematics and computing to solve engineering problems in the process industries.2017Professor Andrew N. Schofieldfor pioneering the use of centrifuge modelling for geotechnical and civil engineering.2018John Bartlettfor his outstanding contributions to tunnel design and construction.2019Robert Benaimfor leading a step-change in prestressed concrete structures and improving the way in which consultants and contractors work together.2020Professor Dame Julia Higginsfor her sustained excellence in polymer engineering.2021Clive Hickmanfor his outstanding career in the automobile industry.2022Professor Jacques Heymanfor making vital contributions to structural engineering.2023Professor Graham Reedfor pioneering the field of silicon photonics.2024Tristram Carfraefor his inspirational approach to design, his remarkable structures and his leadership in structural engineering.2025Fiona Raymentfor her engineering leadership and technical expertise in the nuclear sector.2026Professor Dame Wendy Hallfor her extraordinary achievements during a career spanning five decades in leading the development of web science and shaping the UK’s AI strategy
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