RCPS Medal Awards 2026 announced

The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society (RCPS/The Poly) has announced the winners of its prestigious Medal Awards. Next February, all nine winners will receive Medal Award Certificates for outstanding achievement, and are contenders for the distinction of the RCPS Medal in their category, to be presented at an awards ceremony delivered in partnership with The Falmouth Hotel.

Relaunched two years ago, the Medal Awards champion excellence in sciences, industry and the arts – celebrating the range of exciting, innovative work taking place in Cornwall across these categories today. Playing a pivotal role in The Poly’s early history, the Medals were first awarded in the 1830s, with Alfred Nobel being one of the recipients in 1865. The aim of the current awards is to encourage the new and forward-looking, and to promote the achievements of those working in, or having a strong recent connection, with Cornwall.

The winners have been selected by expert panels, using broad criteria to make judgements – including the originality and significance of the work, the technical expertise or creativity shown, and the excellence of output produced in the last five or so years.

The award winners are:

ARTS: Sarah Ball; Ro Robertson; Lucy Stein

Sarah - for the significant development of her work and growing international recognition of her painting in recent years, starting with a major show at Frieze New York in 2021, and subsequent solo exhibitions in London and internationally, currently in Shanghai.

Ro (they/them) - for recent innovations in their work and growing recognition as one of the most interesting artists making sculpture in Britain today, with work featured at Tate St Ives, and in numerous exhibitions across the UK and internationally.

Lucy - for the ongoing development of an expansive body of conceptual work rooted in painting, which embraces performance, film, writing and collaborative projects, notably following ‘Wet Room’, her first major UK institutional solo show (2021-2022), and through international exhibitions.

SCIENCES: Prof Chris Bass; Prof Karen Hudson-Edwards; Dr Toby Talbot

Chris - for his work on insecticide resistance. An applied entomologist (University of Exeter) he was recently awarded an ERC Advanced Researcher Grant, one of only 53 to be awarded in the UK. He works with a global network of specialists identifying ways to target specific crop pests without harming beneficial insects.

Karen - for her work on sustainable mining. She is an environmental geochemist and mineralogist (Camborne School of Mines and Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter). A global expert in her field, she is noted for innovations involving employing minerals and microbes in environmental clean-ups.

Toby - for revolutionising cancer treatment in Cornwall. As a consultant (Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust) he is best known for his work on clinical trials of novel cancer treatment drugs and has published his ground-breaking research in the world’s leading medical journals.

INDUSTRY: Flann Microwave Ltd; Pendennis Group; Teagle Machinery Ltd

Flann Microwave Ltd - for its international reputation as a high-quality producer of electronic components for the global space, defence and telecoms industries. Established in the 1950s, the company has continued to innovate and today best represents Cornwall’s growing and highly competitive tech sector. Ian Burnage is CEO.

Pendennis (Pendennis group incorporating Pendennis Shipyard and Cockwells) - for its international profile as a leading global exporter of excellence in Cornish design, sustainability and maritime values, alongside its outstanding track record as a local employer, providing high quality jobs and apprentice training. The group Managing Directors are Toby Allies, Ian Granville, Stephen Hills and Charlie Ross.Teagle Machinery Ltd – for embodying Cornwall's reputation for precision engineering, and representing our global status in the agricultural sector. This award-winning family-founded and run business is a global-facing supplier that invests in skills development locally, working with HE providers to offer routes into high-quality employment. Tom Teagle is Managing Director.

Teagle Machinery Ltd – for embodying Cornwall's reputation for precision engineering, and representing our global status in the agricultural sector. This award-winning family-founded and run business is a global-facing supplier that invests in skills development locally, working with HE providers to offer routes into high-quality employment. Tom Teagle is Managing Director.  

The Medal Awards presentation ceremony, and announcement of Medal recipients, will take place on Thursday 5th February at the Falmouth Hotel.

Ginny Button, Chair of The Poly, says:

“There are so many incredibly talented artists, forward-thinking scientists and ambitious businesses in Cornwall. Collectively they’re changing our lives in different ways. The award winners for 2026 are no exception, and we’re delighted to have this opportunity to shine a light on their remarkable achievements.

“Our winners show that Cornwall continues to be a place where creativity and innovation thrive. We hope that bringing together these different sectors will open new doors and spark connections. “We’d like to thank our partner, The Falmouth Hotel, for sponsoring the 2026 RCPS Medal Awards, making the Awards possible, and also the Tanner Phoenix Trust [through Cornwall Community Foundation] for generously funding an associated outreach programme. They share our aim to promote innovation and excellence within our community, and their support is invaluable.”

ENDS: 13th October 2025