STEM Ambassador of the year
Open for entries
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ICE Northern Ireland's prestigious awards promote the work of civil engineers and encourage excellence in the profession across the region. The awards recognise projects ICE members are involved with, as well as outstanding individual achievements and knowledge.
Our 2026 awards
The STEM Ambassador of the Year award honours an individual who has shown outstanding commitment to civil engineering by giving their time to inspire the next generation of civil engineers on behalf of the ICE.
Entries are open for all individuals who:
- Are a current ICE member
- Are registered as a STEM Learning Ambassador
Individuals are invited to nominate themselves or others using the attached form.
Entries must be submitted to [email protected] by 5pm on Friday 30 October 2026.
Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Award
Open for entries
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This award is for an ICE NI member or team (of which at least one member is an ICE NI member) who is passionate about ensuring the profession is inclusive and representative, who takes a holistic view of diversity, promotes diversity and inclusion and challenges discrimination where they see it.
Entries are open for all individuals or teams who:
- Are ICE members (any grade), or a team that have at least one member who is an ICE member
- Are located within ICE Northern Ireland
Please complete a separate form for each individual or team nominated.
Entries must be submitted to [email protected] by 5pm on Friday 2 October 2026.
Adrian Long Medal
Open for entries
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The Adrian Long Medal is awarded biennially to the author(s) of the best paper published in an ICE journal over the previous two years, with at least one author being an ICE member resident in Northern Ireland.
Entries close: 5pm on Thursday 29 October 2026
Submit completed applications to [email protected]
Sustainability Award
Opens on 24 August 2026
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This award is open to any civil engineering project completed in the last two years and is based in Northern Ireland, that demonstrates outstanding environmental sustainability.
Open for entries: Monday 24 August 2026
Entries close: 5pm on Thursday 8 October 2026
Submit completed applications to [email protected]
ICE Northern Ireland Princess Royal Award for Emerging Engineers 2026
ICE Northern Ireland Princess Royal Award for Emerging Engineers 2026
Rachel Woodward
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ICE Northern Ireland Princess Royal Award for Emerging Engineers 2026
We are delighted to announce that Rachel Woodward, PhD Researcher at Ulster University, has been named the ICE Northern Ireland regional winner of The Princess Royal Award for Emerging Engineers 2026.
Rachel impressed the judging panel with her paper, Calcined waste clays as low-carbon supplementary cementitious material for decarbonising soil stabilisation, which explores innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of construction while supporting circular economy principles.
The award recognises the outstanding work of early-career engineers who are making a significant contribution to the profession through innovation, research and technical excellence.
Rachel's success highlights the high calibre of engineering talent in Northern Ireland and the important role emerging engineers are playing in helping the industry address future challenges.
Congratulations to Rachel on this fantastic achievement, and we wish her every success as she progresses to the international final.
Photo credit: Michael Cooper Photography
Our 2025 awards winners
Ferguson Medal
Richard Nicholl
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Ferguson Medal
The Ferguson Medal was awarded in 2025 to Richard Nicholl for his paper: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – Conservation of an Historic Landmark.
The Ferguson Medal was introduced in 1982 and is named after Robert Ferguson OBE, founder of Ferguson McIlveen. It recognises his contribution to civil engineering and the Institution in Northern Ireland. It is awarded for the best paper, submitted in any year by a regional member.
STEM Ambassador of the Year Award
Áine McCaffrey
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STEM Ambassador of the Year Award
The ICE NI STEM Ambassador of the Year Award 2025-26 was won by Áine McCaffrey. Áine was chosen because she clearly demonstrated innovative, high-quality, and impactful outreach that promotes diversity and alternative entry routes into civil engineering, particularly the Higher-Level Apprenticeship pathway.
Her nomination demonstrated an exceptional commitment to promoting civil engineering. Excelling across all three judging criteria: innovation, quality, and impact, Áine was selected for her unique and creative methods that successfully reach and inspire young people across various platforms and age ranges.
The quality of engagement, marked by her professionalism, authenticity, and ability to provide appropriate, useful information to key audiences, including students and careers teachers, made her an outstanding winner for this year’s NI STEM Ambassador Award.
The STEM Ambassador of the Year Award honours an individual who has shown outstanding commitment to civil engineering by giving their time to inspire the next generation of civil engineers on behalf of ICE.
The Chair’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession
Mark McGuigan
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The Chair’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession
This prestigious award recognises and honours an individual ICE Member for making an exceptional and demonstrable contribution to the Institution of Civil Engineers in Northern Ireland and to the wider civil engineering profession, delivered over the preceding three years of professional activity.
With over twenty-five years of distinguished service in civil engineering and infrastructure delivery, Mark is a leader whose recent contributions have fundamentally advanced the ICE’s strategic agenda in Northern Ireland.
In a career defined by high-impact water and transport projects, Mark has spent the last three years specifically focused on applying decarbonisation strategies to deliver sustainable, Net Zero transport infrastructure.
Mark has made a sustained and exceptional contribution to promoting the civil engineering profession by placing it at the forefront of the regional sustainability debate. They have significantly enhanced ICE’s profile by forging strong relationships with key industry stakeholders across rail, public realm, water, and the education sector.
His commitment goes significantly beyond his professional role, reflecting unwavering support for ICE NI through a range of dedicated volunteer roles, including secretary, treasurer, and chair of the Commerce and Contracts Group. He currently serves as the regional officer for our Sustainability Group, consistently embodying the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
Could you be our next awards sponsor?
With local representation and multiple options from single award through to headline sponsor for all 12 regions, we have a sponsorship package tailored to you. Get in touch with the team today.