Awards

IEEE/RSE James Clerk Maxwell Medal

The IEEE/Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) James Clerk Maxwell Medal, established in 2006, is named in honor of the 19th century Scottish mathematician and physicist, James Clerk Maxwell. Maxwell laid the foundations of electromagnetic wave theory, radio propagation, microwave techniques, and radio communications.

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IEEE Founders Medal

The IEEE Founders Medal was established by the Institute of Radio Engineers in 1952. It derives its character and purpose from the inspiring example of leadership and service set by the three founders of the Institute: Alfred N. Goldsmith, who was Director Emeritus and Editor Emeritus of IEEE, Messrs. John V. L. Hogan, and Robert Marriott.

This purpose is perhaps best expressed by the citation that accompanied the first award, which read in part: “For outstanding contributions to the profession and to the Institute through wise and courageous leadership in the planning and administration of technical developments.”

The progress of a profession rests not only on the technical abilities of its members, but on the qualities of leadership and dedication that they possess. It is therefore highly appropriate that among the major awards of IEEE, there is one that brings deserved recognition to these important attributes.

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IEEE Edison Medal

The motivation for most scientific and technological advances has been derived from man’s imagination and his dedicated desire to achieve a better standard of living. Thomas Alva Edison was endowed with many of those qualities and characteristics, which are so necessary to bridge the gap between imagination and realization.

On 21 October 1879, Mr. Edison succeeded in producing the first practical incandescent electric light bulb—the beginning of modern illumination.

Twenty-five years later, on 11 February 1904, a group of Mr. Edison’s friends and associates created a medal in his name to commemorate the achievements of a quarter of a century in the art of electric lighting. In their words, “The Edison Medal should, during the centuries to come, serve as an honorable incentive to scientists, engineers, and artisans to maintain by their works the high standard of accomplishment set by the illustrious man whose name and feats shall live while human intelligence continues to inhabit the world.”

Four years later, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers entered into an agreement with the founders to award the medal. The award now carries the designation of IEEE.

The IEEE Edison Medal has been presented since 1909.

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IEEE Mildred Dresselhaus Medal

The IEEE Mildred Dresselhaus Medal was established in 2019 by the IEEE Board of Directors and is named in honor of the late Institute Professor and Professor Emerita of physics and electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mildred Dresselhaus, whose innovations helped mold the history of advancements in science, technology, and education around the world. Dr. Dresselhaus paved the way for the rise of nanotechnology and blazed a path for women in science and engineering. She was known as the “queen of carbon science” based on her life-long research into the properties of graphite and carbon-based materials. The era of carbon electronics can be traced back to her tireless research efforts.

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