Professor Dave Worsley – member of SPECIFIC’s Management Team, TATA Steel Sponsored Professor and Vice President (Innovation) at Swansea University – has been shortlisted for a St David Award – Innovation, Science and Technology category.
The national St David Awards scheme recognises and celebrates the exceptional achievements of people from all walks of life in Wales. Dave’s contribution to Wales in this category has been recognised by Mark Drakeford AM and his advisers, who decided upon the finalists.
The Innovation, Science and Technology Category is intended for those who have developed techniques or solutions that meet new requirements and who have provided effective products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas that are available to society at large.
During his 30-year career at Swansea University Professor Worsley has secured more than £140 million of research funding and his current EPSRC grant portfolio of over £55 million is one of the largest in the UK and drives many partnerships within Wales. He has driven world-leading PV research at Swansea University through projects like SPECIFIC, SUNRISE, ABC, SUSTAIN, SAMI, and the numerous spin-out organisations that exist as a result .
Dave’s appetite for collaboration is legendary, and others are keen to work with him. He has built exceptionally strong partnerships in Wales and beyond – with academia (e.g. Cardiff, Cambridge and Oxford Universities), and with industry (giants like Tata Steel, NSG Pilkington Glass and Akzo Nobel as well as a long list of SMEs).
In 2015, Professor Worsley was awarded the prestigious Hadfield Medal and Prize by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), in recognition of his distinguished work in the field of materials science and engineering and, in particular his achievements connected with the iron and steel industries.
He is a popular professor at the University and has mentored 38 students. Through his mentorship and boldness in creating and seeking opportunities, his past students have gone on to set up projects like the Materials and Manufacturing Academy and metal (Materials and Manufacturing Education Training and Learning) and to become leaders in industry in Wales and beyond.
Professor Worsley is author and co-author of 130 refereed scientific publications on coated product development, holds 12 patents and has an h-index of 32.
Dave’s passion, vision and collaborative leadership are the reasons he has been shortlisted for this award. His work ethic is unmatched and his ability to motivate all those around him is commendable, not to mention his brilliant sense of humour.
Phil George, Chair of the Judging Panel said: “The panel were moved and uplifted by the stories represented here.”
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We are here to recognise the remarkable things that these people do in Welsh life, but none of them recognise what they’ve done for others. They regard themselves as just part of what it is to be a citizen in Wales. Recognised for the remarkable things they do in their work, in their communities… and that’s what makes the St David Awards a very special event in the calendar in Wales.”
The winners of all nine categories will be announced on Thursday 19th March 2020 at the Senedd in Cardiff. Pob lwc, Dave!