Nominations Open for CT Medal of Technology; Award Expanding in 2022

In 2022, the Connecticut Medal of Technology, Connecticut's highest honor for technological achievement in fields crucial to Connecticut's economic competitiveness, will be awarded. 

This Medal, bestowed by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE), recognizes an individual, a team, a company/non-profit, or a division of a company/non-profit for outstanding contributions to the economic, environmental and social well-being of Connecticut and the nation through the promotion of technology, technological innovation, or the development of the technological workforce. 

This year for the first time, two medals will be awarded, with one medal awarded to an individual and one medal to a team, company/non-profit or divisions of companies/non-profits.

Nominations must be submitted by March 14, with the announcement of the recipients to occur later this Spring.  The Medal aims to inspire future generations to prepare for and pursue technical careers to keep Connecticut and the nation at the forefront of global technology and economic leadership.

Each nomination is evaluated for outstanding contribution to: the promotion of technology; technological innovation; or the development of technological manpower in these three areas based on one of three tailored sets of criteria for:

·         individual and team nominations for the promotion of technology, or for technological innovation, which can include products, processes, and concepts;

·         company/non-profit and division of company/non-profit nominations for the promotion of technology, or for technological innovation, which can include products, processes, and concepts; or

·         individual, team, and company/non-profit or division of company/non-profit nominations for the promotion of technological manpower (workforce).

Modeled after the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the award is bestowed in alternate years with the Connecticut Medal of Science. The 2022 Medal of Technology will be presented on May 26, 2022, at the 47th Annual Meeting (to be held virtually) of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.  Nomination form can be seen here.

The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering has also recently announced a $432,801 grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation that will support an expansion of CASE’s Science and Technology Fellowship Program in Connecticut.

The fellowship program provides opportunities for scientists and engineers to engage with and support policymakers as they navigate increasingly complex policy issues in their public service to the state and its residents. Additionally, the program supports scientists and engineers during their fellowship with hands-on learning aimed at improving their ability to effectively communicate with policymakers and the public, ultimately leading to the goal of increasing the pipeline of scientists and engineers with public policy experience.

Connecticut Academy of Science & Engineering was chartered by the General Assembly in 1976 to provide expert guidance on science and technology to the people and to the state of Connecticut, and to promote the application of science and technology to human welfare and economic well-being.

In 2017, CASE was one of nine states that received planning grants from the California Council for Science and Technology, with support from the Moore Foundation and the Simons Foundation. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) provided the first opportunity to place a CASE Science and Technology Policy Fellow.

Following a competitive selection process, Dr. Anna Hagstrom, a recent graduate from Yale University with a PhD in Environmental Engineering, served as CASE’s inaugural fellow, with her fellowship focused on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and emerging contaminants.

Betsey Wingfield, DEEP’s Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Quality, shared that Dr. Hagstrom’s fellowship provided DEEP with the advantage of a skilled and talented resource on-site. She “loved the fact that we are working to integrate science and policy – and helping to develop the next generation of environmental leaders.” CASE is currently in the selection process for the next fellowship focused on building decarbonization.

“The Science and Technology Policy Fellowship program aligns with CASE’s mission to provide advice on issues of science and technology in public policy that affect the social and economic well-being of the people and the state of Connecticut,” CASE President Christine Caragianis Broadbridge said. “We are grateful to the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for their support, which will expand the program and assist CASE to leverage the support to raise additional resources that will sustain the program.”