The second annual WAC Prize Presentations Evening proved to be an
outstanding success with Dr Ruth Graham of Imperial College claiming first place on the winners’ podium. Ruth presented a paper addressing the issues of “The Interaction of Stress-raising Features in Aircraft Design”.
The Hawthorns, University of Bristol, hosted the 2003 event on 17th March.
Five written papers had previously been short-listed for the final element of
the competition – testing the visual and oral presentation skills of the authors. The papers were presented consecutively to an audience representing a broad scope of aerospace engineering – industrialists to academics – in the South West. Included in the audience were the members of the adjudicating panel who had the unenviable task of deciding an overall winner from what were five excellent presentations. The overall winner received a cheque for £500 and the other finalists each received £100 as runners-up.
The purpose of the prize, awarded annually, is to stimulate and encourage continued professional development in young engineers who have already graduated with a first degree. The short-listed finalists came from both Industry and Academia and their topics covered a wide range of subjects from the management of in-service repairs and international projects to fundamental research in rocket propulsion, aerospace composites and the behaviour of materials.
Dr Ruth Graham, Imperial College, wins the IMechE’s 2003 WAC Prize
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Pictured are the presenters (seated, left to right) Jacqueline Castle (Airbus UK), Andrew Gray (INBIS), Ruth Graham (Imperial College), Neil Taylor and Jonathan Harris (both of the University of Bristol). Standing behind the presenters are the members of the adjudicating panel (left to right) Dr Christopher (Sam) Beale (Rolls-Royce plc), Colin Dallimore (Ministry
of Defence, Abbey Wood), Alan Vincent (Westland Helicopters Ltd), Dr Terry Chivers (Hosier Systems (Int’l) Ltd), Tim Bartley ( Westland Helicopters Ltd), the WAC Committee Chairman, and Sandy Mitchell (Research Fellow, University of Bristol) (Chairman of the Adjudicating Panel).
Dr Ruth Graham receives her winner’s certificate from Tim Bartley, Chairman of the WAC
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Find out more about the Western Aerospace Centre
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