Recognizes service to the physics community.
Description and Background
Evaluation Criteria
CAP Medal Nomination Procedures (Link opens in new tab)
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Know a worthy candidate for this award? VISIT THE CAP RECOGNITION NOMINATION SYSTEM Any questions regarding the nomination process should be sent to programs@cap.ca |
2023 WinnerLaura Pankratz | Government of Alberta (Awarded biennially – Not awarded in 2024) |
Description and Background
The CAP-COMP Peter Kirkby Memorial Medal recognizes outstanding service to Canadian physics. The medal is intended to recognize service to the physics community by strengthening the Canadian physics community, by enhancing the profession of physical scientists, by effectively communicating physics to the non-scientific community, or by making physics more attractive as a career. It is intended to provide a lasting memorial to Peter Kirkby and to recognize in others the qualities for which he is remembered best: a vision of a strong Canadian physics community, dedicated efforts to support that vision and, in all things, fairness, and honesty.
Peter Kirkby was a great champion of physicists and the profession. This award recognizes the contributions of those who have contributed in ways that reflect his legacy. One part of that legacy was his defence of professionalism in physics.
The ability of physicists to pursue their work was often under attack by provincial associations of professional engineers who regulate the practice of engineering. In particular, there were often proposals presented to provincial legislatures to make ANY practice of natural science subject to regulation by the local association of professional engineers, requiring someone to hold a P.Eng. designation in order to practice science. Following Peter’s leadership and legacy, the CAP has successfully argued against this over many many years.
Peter’s advocacy also resulted in our adoption of the P.Phys. designation, in order to make it clear to industrial employers, in particular, that this was a profession that set its own standards and designated those who met those standards.
Evaluation Criteria
Nominees will be evaluated on their participation in service to the CAP, COMP, or the Canadian physics community that sets them apart from their peers. Contributions will include but are not limited to roles and activities such as:
- Participation in and leadership of activities to promote equity, diversity, and inclusivity in physics including, but not limited to, developing community-building activities.
- Significant contributions to the CAP, CAP Foundation, or COMP through, e.g., serving as a member of the executive or board of directors, or chair of a division, or equivalent service to a related Canadian physics society
- Significant involvement in the planning or execution of the CAP Congress, such as Chair or Co-Chair of the Scientific or Local Organising Committees; or equivalent service to a related Canadian physics society.
- Leadership in science communication, such as serving as Editor, Associate Editor, or guest editor of Physics in Canada or another journal in which Canadian physicists regularly publish.
- Significant involvement in science policy and/or protection of the profession.
- Significant involvement in outreach and/or mentorship.
- Representation of the CAP or COMP on a national and/or international level.
