At Physics Partners, we are proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of key members of our community, whose dedication and passion for physics education have made a lasting impact. Some of our outstanding colleagues and supporters have recently been recognised by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for their exceptional contributions.
Sir Richard Friend – IOP 2024 Isaac Newton Medal and Prize
Enormous congratulations to Sir Richard Friend, our long-standing patron, who has been awarded the 2024 Isaac Newton Medal and Prize for his exceptional contributions to physics. Sir Richard’s visionary work in the field of semiconductor physics has not only advanced the boundaries of science but has also had profound practical applications.
Read more about Sir Richard Friend’s remarkable work here.
Kate Bridge – 2024 IOP Teachers of Physics Award Winner
We are absolutely delighted to share that Kate Bridge, one of our Physics Partners trainers, has been awarded a prestigious IOP 2024 Teacher of the Year Award. Kate’s passion for teaching shines through every session she leads, with her innovative approaches, dynamic energy, and commitment to inclusive education. Her dedication to ensuring that physics is accessible to all students has transformed classrooms and inspired fellow educators across the country.
You can read more about her work and her award citation here.
In addition to celebrating Kate and Nick, we also want to congratulate three friends of Physics Partners:
Nick Mitchener – IOP Technician Award 2024
Congratulations to Nick Mitchener, a familiar face at our CPD events, on being awarded the IOP 2024 Technician Award! Nick has been a regular attendee at events like the Winchester College Festival of Physics, where he shares invaluable insights and ideas with fellow technicians and teachers alike. Nick’s expertise and support have been a source of inspiration for many in the community, and we are delighted to see his contributions recognised.
Learn more about Nick’s award and his contributions to the field here.
Associate Professor Dan Cottle – IOP 2024 Daphne Jackson Medal and Prize
Our congratulations also go to Dan Cottle, who has been awarded the 2024 Daphne Jackson Medal and Prize for his remarkable contributions to physics education. Dan has been a strong advocate for widening participation in physics, tirelessly working to connect physics teacher training with increasing diversity in university physics programmes.
Dan has been a friend of Physics Partners for many years and helped with the planning of our Birmingham Study Days. He is also supporting our upcoming Girls in Physics Day at his department, helping to inspire the next generation of female physicists. We are delighted to see Dan’s achievements recognised, and grateful for his ongoing partnership with Physics Partners.
Find out more about Dan’s work here.
Dr James Perkins – 2024 IOP Teachers of Physics Award Winner
Finally, we want to extend a special thank you and congratulations to Dr. James Perkins of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School. James generously hosts our physics hub sessions at his school and we are most grateful for his support. You can read more about his award here.
—
Whilst we are delighted to celebrate these individual achievements, they reflect the shared efforts of everyone working to make physics education more accessible and inclusive.
Congratulations again to all the award recipients and thank you to all our trainer and supporters for their ongoing commitment in the field of physics education.
