BCS Lovelace Medal

Demis Hassabis is co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, one of the world’s leading AI research groups. He received the Lovelace Medal for research in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to artificial intelligence and to the UK technology industry.

Jane Hillston is Professor of Quantitative Modelling and former Head of the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh. She was awarded the Lovelace Medal for research in recognition of her work developing new approaches to modelling both artificial and natural systems by combining elements of formal languages with mathematical modelling.

Tom Crick is Professor of Digital Education & Policy and Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Swansea University, based between the School of Social Sciences and the £32m Computational Foundry. He received the Lovelace Medal for Education due to his contributions to computer science education across research, policy and practice. He is recognised internationally for leading the major STEM education and skills reforms in Wales over a sustained period, alongside wider leadership in UK digital, engineering and technology policy to support a thriving digital and data-driven economy.

Nominations are accepted from anyone, anywhere in the world but it is expected that nominees are academic, industry or education professionals who have a direct connection with the UK. Nominators and nominees do not need to be BCS members.

Nominees will have had major, notable impact in their field, and be widely recognised for their excellence as well as their wider contribution to the computing community.

They will have furthered knowledge or public understanding, or driven a transformational change in their discipline. They may have made a breakthrough, opened a new area of research, or advanced the efficacy or availability of computing education, including through public policy.

There are no career stage restrictions or expectations with this prize, the emphasis is on impact.

Selection of the Lovelace Medal winners is made by a Lovelace Medal Selection Panel appointed each year by the BCS Academy of Computing Board.

The Selection Panel will base their evaluations on the overall quality of relevant contributions and achievements by nominees, in relation to the selection criteria outlined below.

Research:

• originality, significance and impact of research, innovation.
• quality of publications and/or patents and/or software.
• collaborations and teamwork, supporting the development of colleagues and encouraging wider collaboration.
• consideration of ethical and societal implications within their research and its direction.
• professional standing.

Education:

• quality of contributions to and impact on availability and quality of educational provision.
• raising the profile and reach of computing in the curriculum, within and across departments and disciplines.
• scale and quality of computing talent that has been inspired, nurtured and developed through their efforts.
• championing and advancing inclusion and diversity in computing education.
• supporting the development of colleagues and encouraging wider collaboration.

Nominations should be written for a general computing audience and submitted online.

Entries need to include the following:

• full name and contact details for both nominator and nominee
• a short citation to briefly describe what the nominee should be awarded for
• Concise information on the nominee’s contributions, impact and exceptionality
• Link to a biography or LinkedIn profile of the nominee
• Name and email address of someone who will endorse your nomination.

Endorsers will be asked to confirm their endorsement and provide a short statement of support.

All nominators and endorsers are asked to confirm that to the best of their knowledge there is no impediment, relating to professional conduct, to their nominee receiving this prize.