Davy Medal

This medal is awarded to an outstanding researcher in the field of chemistry

  • Opening date

  • Closing date

  • Winners announcement

    Date subject to confirmation

The award

The Davy Medal is awarded for outstanding contributions in the field of chemistry. The medal is named after Humphry Davy FRS, the chemist and inventor of the Davy Lamp, and was first awarded in 1877. The medal is of bronze, is awarded annually and is accompanies by a gift of £2,000.

Eligibility

The Davy medal is open to UK/Commonwealth/Republic of Ireland citizens or those who have been residents for three or more years. There are no restrictions on career stage and nominations will remain valid and shall be considered by the award selection committee throughout three nomination cycles. Teams or groups may now be nominated for this award.

Nominations are closed

Nominations will reopen in November 2024.

2023 winner

  • Professor Dame Margaret Brimble CNZM FRS

    Professor Dame Margaret Brimble CNZM FRS

    The Davy Medal 2023 is awarded to Professor Dame Margaret Brimble CNZM FRS for outstanding contributions to organic chemistry with wide-ranging applications across the life sciences. Image credit: Auckland University
  • Past winners

    • Margaret Brimble
      Awarded in 2023

      Professor Dame Margaret Brimble CNZM FRS

      For outstanding contributions to organic chemistry with wide-ranging applications across the life sciences.
    • Peter Sadler
      Awarded in 2022

      Professor Peter Sadler FRS

      For pioneering the research field of medicinal inorganic chemistry, "Metals in Medicine", and the design of new metallodrugs with novel mechanisms of action.
    • Malcolm Levitt
      Awarded in 2021

      Professor Malcolm Levitt FRS

      For his contributions to the theory and methodology of nuclear magnetic resonance, including composite pulses, symmetry-based recoupling, long-lived nuclear spin states, and the study of endofullerenes by electromagnetic spectroscopies and neutron scattering.
    • Benjamin David
      Awarded in 2020

      Professor Benjamin Davis FMedSci FRS

      For inventing powerful chemical methods that directly manipulate complex biological molecules, enabling elucidation and control of biological function and mechanism in vitro and in vivo, beyond the limits of genetics