King’s College London Engineering Team Receives Prestigious Papin Prize

In a significant achievement for the field of engineering education, the Engineering Education Technical Team at King’s College London has been awarded the esteemed Papin Prize Technical Team Award. This recognition was presented during the UK Higher Education Technicians Summit, where the team outperformed numerous other candidates from across the nation. The Papin Prizes are designed to highlight the invaluable contributions of technical staff in academia and research, acknowledging their critical role in enhancing student learning experiences.

The awardees, Jon West, Charlotte Palmer, Samuel Piper, Henrique Schmitz, Ana Rubio Denniss, David Batten, Elizaveta Krasnova, and Tushar Khoda, were nominated for their exceptional teamwork, adaptability, and innovative problem-solving capabilities, which have led to significant improvements in practical learning for students.

Charlotte Palmer, Technical Manager of the Engineering Makerspaces, expressed her pride in being part of such a dedicated team. "It’s such an honour to be part of the Papin Prize-winning technical team. It’s a privilege to work alongside passionate, dedicated colleagues every day, and it means a lot that our behind-the-scenes efforts have been recognised through this nomination," Palmer stated.

The team is responsible for managing the award-winning Quad Labs at King’s College, which serve as a state-of-the-art facility for various educational and research initiatives, including F1 aerodynamics and battery chemistry. They facilitate hands-on classes that equip current and prospective students with essential skills for their future careers in industry. Additionally, the team shares their innovative teaching methods and the operational use of the Makerspace with others in the academic sector.

Their contributions have not gone unnoticed; Charlotte, Ana, and Sam have been recognized as engineering role models by the Royal Academy of Engineering. Professor Chris Lorenz, Head of the Department of Engineering, praised the team, stating, "The team here at King’s exemplifies what it is to be world-class technicians. Their collaborative approach, resilience in problem solving, and innovative thinking have pushed the boundaries of research and strengthened the department’s reputation for cutting-edge engineering education. The Papin Prize is richly deserved, and we’re lucky to have them."

Ben Gridley, Head of Technical Services in the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences, emphasized the importance of the Papin Prizes in elevating the profile of technical professionals within the sector. "The Papin Prizes have raised the profile of technical professionals over the last decade, celebrating only a handful of exceptional technicians each year selected from hundreds of nominations across the sector. We’re delighted to see our outstanding Engineering Education team recognised with this prestigious award for their innovation and teamwork in supporting our leading education programmes," Gridley remarked.

The Papin Prize reflects a growing recognition of the essential role that technical staff play in educational settings. Their contributions, often overshadowed in the broader narrative of academic success, are crucial to fostering an environment where students can thrive and develop the skills needed for future challenges. As engineering education continues to evolve, the commitment and ingenuity of technicians like those at King’s College London will remain vital in shaping the next generation of engineers.