Professor Stuart Taylor awarded the 2024 Learned Society of Wales Menelaus Medal

Our warmest congratulations to Professor Stuart Taylor, the 2024 recipient of the Menelaus Medal, awarded on behalf of the Learned Society of Wales.

The Menelaus Medal is presented annually for excellence in any field of engineering and technology to an academic, industrial researcher, or practitioner who is resident in Wales, of Welsh origin, or who holds a particular connection with Wales.

The recipient of the Medal each year is selected by a committee comprising representatives of the Learned Society of Wales and SWIEET2007 (the South Wales Institute of Engineers Educational Trust), which sponsors the Medal. Nominations for the Medal are submitted by Fellows of the Learned Society of Wales.

On receiving the Menelaus Medal, Professor Taylor commented: “It is a privilege and a great honour to be awarded the 2024 LSW Menelaus Medal. It recognises achievements over many years, and I am truly grateful to all of my students, colleagues, and collaborators who have contributed and supported me in my research career.”

The Medal is named after William Menelaus (1818–82), the engineer, iron and steel manufacturer, and Dowlais Iron Company general manager, who founded the original South Wales Institute of Engineers in 1857.

Professor Taylor, a Professor of Physical Chemistry and Director of Research at Cardiff School of Chemistry, has made groundbreaking contributions to heterogeneous catalysis, influencing energy, sustainability, green chemistry, and environmental protection.

His work on environmental catalysis has led to significant advances in life support systems and atmospheric emission control, with innovations that have been adopted and commercialised globally. These breakthroughs have been crucial in protecting against carbon monoxide poisoning in submarines, deep-sea diving, firefighting, and mining, saving thousands of lives each day.

In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Professor Taylor has been placed in the top 2% of researchers worldwide in Stanford University’s annual World Ranking of Scientists.