The RCPS Medal Awards 

In 2023, The Royal Polytechnic Society (RCPS/The Poly) reintroduced its prestigious Medal Awards - championing excellence in science, industry and the arts.

First awarded in the 1830s, the medals played a pivotal role in The Poly’s early history. One of the medal recipients was Alfred Nobel in 1865. The relaunch of the Medal Awards, almost two hundred years since the RCPS’s founding, celebrates the range of exciting, innovative work taking place in Cornwall today across these categories.

Cornwall is brimming with creativity and innovation. Through the revival and reimagining of the original RCPS Medal Awards, our goal is to spotlight and celebrate trailblazers who are making substantial impacts on a national and global scale. It also presents a wonderful opportunity to unite diverse sectors to inspire and foster cooperation within our region. 

The new, specially commissioned medal was designed by Cornwall-based artist Lucy Willow - a Falmouth University lecturer and highly regarded specialist in medal art. It was produced in collaboration with Bigbury Mint – with its ‘Unfurling Fern’ design beautifully representing new life and growth.

The 2023 relaunch saw a shortlist, in each category, drawn up by expert judging panels. All those selected were considered Award winners and received Medal Certificates recognising their outstanding achievements. In addition, at the Award Ceremony, an RCPS medal was presented to one winner within each category. The selection process involved the use of broad criteria to make judgements. This included the originality and significance of the work, the technical expertise or creativity shown and the excellence of the output of those shortlisted. The aim was to encourage the new and forward-looking, and the next generation of talent of those working in, or having a strong recent connection, with Cornwall.  Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, Lord Robin Teverson of Tregony, and Professor Emma Hunt, Vice-Chancellor of Falmouth University presented all of the Medallists with certificates - with one of the three in each category was also announced as a Medallist cum laude (with distinction), taking home with them a highly prized RCPS Medal. See our News page for more information on last year's awards and our winners.

Going forward, we plan to make the RCPS Awards a biennial event, with the next Awards due to take place in 2025 -  again celebrating the best and brightest in Cornish talent. 

If you, or your organisation, are interested in getting involved or sponsoring the Awards, please get in touch by emailing MichelleD@thepoly.org

EXPLORE THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF THE RCPS MEDAL AWARDS IN OUR INFORMATIVE BOOKLET:

THE CORNISH MEDAL: THE ROYAL CORNWALL POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY MEDAL AWARDS (PDF)

THE BOOKLET IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE POLY GUILD SHOP