Royal Society Hauksbee Award for ‘Tonbridge’s Lisa Alford

Lisa Alford, Tonbridge’s Senior Chemistry Technician, has been awarded the Hauksbee Award from the Royal Society for her extraordinary commitment to fostering engagement in science and promoting collaboration between schools.

The Award is awarded for outstanding achievements in Science, to those whose work is mostly ‘behind the scenes’ or in support, including technicians, research office staff or other contributors who might not normally be recognised.

The award is named after Francis Hauksbee, Isaac Newton’s laboratory assistant at the Royal Society. During his time as President, Newton appointed Hauksbee as curator and instrument maker and Hauksbee later became a Fellow in his own right in 1705.

Lisa, who joined Tonbridge in 2009, has made significant contributions to its scientific community, advancing from trainee to Senior Chemistry Technician and now serving as the Science Coordinator.

Lisa orchestrated the highly successful Science Communication Competition – Science Snippets: 4 Minutes to Win It! This competition, running for three years, encourages pupils from London and the South-East to engage with and communicate complex scientific concepts concisely and effectively.

She also established the vibrant Science Technician Convention, which has been running for two years. This convention provides a platform for science technicians to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and foster collaboration.

One of her recent achievements of note is leading Tonbridge School to become the first in the UK to earn the title of Employer Champion with the Science Council. Her effectiveness in leadership and support for her team’s continued professional development were key factors in securing this esteemed award.

Additionally, Lisa has delivered Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) workshops to local mainstream and SEN schools, broadening access to sophisticated scientific tools. As the School’s Science Project Coordinator for IRIS, she has facilitated joint ventures with local schools, including educational visits to Queen Mary University, London.

As a STEM Ambassador, Lisa actively supports an under-resourced primary school, inspiring the next generation of scientists.

Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society said, “The scope of scientific knowledge and experience in this year’s line-up is amazing. These outstanding researchers, individuals and teams have contributed to our collective scientific endeavour and helped further our understanding of the world around us.

“I am proud to celebrate outstanding science and offer my congratulations to all the 2024 recipients of the Royal Society’s medals and awards.”