MacDiarmid Institute Co-Director Prof Nicola Gaston awarded Royal Society Thomson Medal

9 November, 2023

Our Co-Director Prof Nicola Gaston has been awarded the Thomson Medal by Royal Society Te Apārangi for transformative leadership for the research, science and innovation sector and as a 'driver of change' towards equity for women in science.

Professor Nicola Gaston receiving the Royal Society Thomson Medal

Welcoming the news, fellow Co-Director Professor Justin Hodgkiss said that Nicola was an incredibly deserving recipient of the Thompson Medal.

"The achievements and personal leadership qualities that Nicola is recognised for bringing to New Zealand's research sector are things that her MacDiarmid Institute colleagues have seen shining over many years. Nicola is courageous and is a driver of change. She has had an incredible impact on matters of equity in the science system, and as we've seen in recent times, Nicola stands out amongst the strongest and most constructive voices for the research sector.

He said that Nicola had also been an incredible role model and colleague in MacDiarmid Institute.

"I am personally so grateful to have worked alongside Nicola in the Institute."