Prestigious fellowship conferred on Dundalk's Dr Niamh Shaw
Dr. Niamh Shaw is one of only two women awarded a ‘Fellow by Presidential Invitation’ from Engineers Ireland, at a ceremony in Dublin on 14 May
Dr Niamh Shaw from Dundalk is one of only two women awarded a ‘Fellow by Presidential Invitation’ from Engineers Ireland, at a ceremony in Dublin on 14th May.
The award places Dr Shaw among a group of professionals recognised each year for shaping the engineering profession in Ireland, where the President of Engineers Ireland invites a small number of engineers to become a ‘Fellow by Presidential Invitation’, bypassing the need to apply for Chartered or Fellow Status.
This award is one of the highest professional accolades for engineers, and was made in recognition of Dr Shaw’s contribution to engineering, science communication and public engagement.
Over the past year, the Dundalk native has expanded her work across science communication, STEM education and public outreach through initiatives including Town Scientist, support for the CanSat programme for post-primary students, and international media engagement around the Artemis II lunar flyby mission launch in Florida.
The award ceremony celebrated five other ‘Fellow by Presidential Invitation’ awardees, almost 200 engineering professionals achieving Chartered and Fellow status, and three awardees of Honorary Fellowships, including broadcaster and academic, Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin.
Dr Shaw said: “It is a huge honour to receive the ‘Fellow by Presidential Invitation’ from Engineers Ireland and to be recognised alongside such esteemed professionals, including a former colleague of my father.
“Making engineering more accessible to people from all walks of life has always been a driving passion for me, particularly because engineering shapes so many aspects of how we live and work.”
In his letter of invitation, Engineers Ireland President John Jordan said: “Each year, the President of Engineers Ireland invites a small number of outstanding engineers to become Fellows of the Institution.
“Engineers Ireland Fellows hold the most prestigious and senior professional title within the engineering profession in Ireland.
“Fellows are highly skilled engineers who help to shape, influence, and inspire both engineers and the future of the engineering industry.
“These traits are traits you have repeatedly demonstrated over the course of your career and I have the privilege of extending this very special invitation to you.”