NERC Impact Awards 2018: Winners make an impact on our world NERC Press Release | 4 December 2018 The real-world impact of inspirational environmental science was celebrated last night at NERC's 2018 Impact Awards in the Natural History Museum's Hintze Hall. A team of pioneering UK scientists from the University of Exeter, the University of Plymouth and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory was crowned overall winner, for decades of research uncovering the devastating impacts of microplastics in our oceans, raising global awareness of the this pressing environmental issue and directly influencing policy around the world. This research was also the winner of the Societal Impact Award. The Early Career Impact Award went to Dr Jennifer Lucey, University of Oxford, for research helping to reduce the damaging effect that growing commodities such as palm oil can have on biodiversity in the Tropics. The Economic Impact Award went to Professor Shaun Quegan, University of Sheffield, for science which underpinned the successful bid for the European Space Agency's BIOMASS mission, paving the way for a £192 million contract for Airbus UK to build the satellite that will allow us to monitor climate change. Shortlisted and judged by independent panels of esteemed academic, industry and government figures, the NERC Impact Awards celebrate NERC-funded scientists, as individuals or teams, whose work has had a significant, wide-reaching impact on the economy or society in the UK or internationally. To further the impacts of their research, the winner of each category receives £10,000 and the runner-up £5,000. The category winner judged to have had the biggest impact is the overall winner, receiving an additional £30,000 funding. Professor Duncan Wingham, NERC Executive Chair, said: "The 2018 NERC Impact Awards recognise the significant achievements of all six finalists, with the three winners chosen from an impressive range of environmental science impacts. I would like to offer my warm congratulations to all. We know that understanding our changing planet is fundamental to our future wellbeing and prosperity. From lab to real life, the inspiring impacts recognised tonight demonstrate the huge benefits that environmental science can bring to our society and economy." Energy & Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry said: "Be it revealing the harmful effects of microplastics, exploring the biodiversity of our oceans, or charting the devastating effects of palm oil on deforestation, UK research teams have been instrumental in exposing environmental damage. In doing so they influence policy and behavioural change across the globe. "It is all of our responsibility to leave the natural world in a better state than we found it. The winners of the Impact Awards set us on the right course to achieve this, and through our modern Industrial Strategy, we will ensure the UK can play a key role in delivering on this in the future, while seizing the opportunities of a cleaner greener economy." UK Research & Innovation Chief Executive Professor Sir Mark Walport said: "Deforestation, climate change and microplastic pollution of our oceans are issues that will be used by future generations to define our age. Tackling these issues requires global action. The Impact Awards recognise the determined, passionate teams who are delivering world-leading UK research and ensuring it can support the solutions we need to overcome these challenges." This year's judges include former UK Environment Secretary Lord Deben, Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change, and BBC presenter and Professor of Public Engagement in Science Professor Alice Roberts. Winners were announced at a ceremony on Monday 3 December, compered by Dr Hermione Cockburn, broadcaster and Scientific Director of Edinburgh science centre Our Dynamic Earth. Around 150 guests from the research community, industry and government gathered for the ceremony underneath the skeleton of the blue whale, 'Hope', in the glowing light of a spectacular 7-metre diameter 'Earth' installation by Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram. Please see full details of the winners and runners-up below. Societal Impact Award The Societal Impact Award recognises NERC-funded researchers who have delivered benefits to society; for example cultural, public policy, health or quality of life. Runner up Making flights smoother and safer Professor Paul Williams, University of Reading; with Professor John Knox, University of Georgia, USA; and Don McCann, McCann Aviation Weather Research Inc, USA. Professor Paul Williams has worked with US scientists to develop an algorithm to predict in-flight turbulence. Following breakthroughs in 2008 and 2012, their algorithm has been used by the US National Weather Service to create turbulence forecasts since 2015, improving the safety of air travel for up to 2.5 billion passenger journeys so far, and also helping to make flying greener by reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Turbulence is increasing, as global temperatures rise due to climate change, and Professor Williams has been working with aircraft engineers to make sure that the next generation of planes is fit for a warmer, bumpier airspace. The impacts of this research are impressive and wide-reaching, with further impact to come in the future, through the team's work with Airbus on aircraft design, and the likelihood of the forecasting algorithm being adopted worldwide. Read more about Professor Paul Williams's research in our Planet Earth article Smoother and safer flying. --- Further information Mary Goodchild External Communications Manager 01793 411939 07710 147485 mary.goodchild@nerc.ukri.org Notes 1. NERC is the UK's main funder of environmental science. Our work covers the full range of atmospheric, Earth, biological, terrestrial and aquatic science, from the deep oceans to the upper atmosphere and from the poles to the equator. We coordinate some of the world's most exciting research projects tackling major environmental issues. NERC is part of UK Research & Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.