Mechanical Engineering Student Awarded Chancellor's Medal

Emily Nix from the Department of Mechanical Engineering has been awarded the Chancellor's Medal for 2011. The Chancellor's Medal is given each year to a student who has displayed outstanding attainment in academic or sporting activities or in other personal achievements.

The award was funded by the university's sixth, Lord Dainton of Hallam Moors, who held office from 1978-1997. Cast in silver by an original design by Lord Dainton, it is presented to the recipient at a degree congregation.

The Medal was awarded to Emily in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the wider University of Sheffield community, the Yorkshire region and beyond. Throughout her time at the University of Sheffield Emily has shown a commitment to enhancing the experience of students studying engineering, and using her skills and experience to improve communities, both nationally and internationally.

Emily has been an active member of Sheffield Volunteering, serving on its organising committee and as a project leader on numerous initiatives, including their 'Give As You Rent' and 'Kids' Sports Day' projects. Emily has also been a member of the Sheffield RAG committee, which raises funds for local charities.

Emily has also been an enthusiastic ambassador for the University of Sheffield and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at various UCAS open days and she served as a student representative on the Departmental Teaching Committee. In addition, she was a founding member of the University of Sheffield Pedal Car Society, which designs and builds pedal-powered cars for entry in the British Pedal Car Championships.

Emily was particularly commended for her involvement with Engineers Without Borders, an organisation that aims to enrich lives and reduce poverty both locally and internationally by using engineering to help remove barriers to development. As the Sheffield branch's School Outreach Scheme Co-ordinator, Emily organised interactive workshops on water sustainability. During her study year abroad in Canada she became involved with the Canadian branch of EWB , helping to conduct workshops and outreach events, and in her final year of study she also became President of EWB Sheffield.

Emily recently graduated with a first class honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and is currently helping the Faculty of Engineering to develop resources for the Global Engineering Challenge. This is a national competition organised by Engineers Without Borders, which asks students to find solutions to real-life engineering problems faced by developing communities.