On the 17th of March Cohort 3 student Garry Clawson had the opportunity to attend the 2023 Whitworth Society Annual Dinner held at House of Lords. This annual event aims to bring Whitworth award holders and scholars together to share their experiences, celebrate new members, and provide a network across a broad range of engineering domains. Garry shares his experience of the event and the benefits being part of these sorts of societies can bring.

What is special about the Whitworth Society?

Although many engineering societies exist, the key difference of the Whitworth Society is that every member started their careers through an engineering apprenticeship route and then with the support of the Whitworth award achieved a degree or post graduate degree level engineering qualification. The society’s objective is to provide a place for Whitworth Award holders and scholars to network and catch up. The Whitworth Award itself being issues since 1868 with the society itself founded in 1926.

How was the event?

The evening started off with a drink on the House of Lords balcony overlooking the river Thames. 

This allowed members to mingle and reconnect as many had not seen each other for several years. The meal itself was a three course meal situated across two dinner rooms. Each room hosted by the senior Whitworth Society figures.

When the meal had come to an end the formal processes began with several toasts to the founders and new members. Award holders who have completed their qualifications (degree or post graduate degree) were then presented with the Whitworth medal and formally accepted as scholars into the society. With only around 350 scholars across the globe (alive!) this is a small group of people and is honoured by being part of the IMechE.

When the meal had come to an end the formal processes began with several toasts to the founders and new members. Award holders who have completed their qualifications (degree or post graduate degree) were then presented with the Whitworth medal and formally accepted as scholars into the society. With only around 350 scholars across the globe (alive!) this is a small group of people and is honoured by being part of the IMechE.

Why is this important to the AgriFoRwArdS CDT?

A stone’s throw from the House of Lords and overlooking St Jame’s Park sits the Institute for Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) who have administered the Whitworth Awards since 1984. Sir Joseph Whitworth, the founder of the Whitworth Award has twice been past president of the IMechE and from the 137 IMechE presidents 13 have been Whitworth award holders.

In Oct 2022 I was fortunate enough to have been endowed with a Whitworth Award for my current PhD studies and I still call on the lessons I learnt through my apprenticeship to help me each day. Being able to draw upon past experience, a diverse network, and an engineering background helps me ground ideas from my first year of the AgriFoRwArdS programme as well as put new concepts in my reading into context. 

The AgriFoRwArdS CDT is as strong as it is today because of the diverse makeup of the student and academic body. Having support from the CDT and the Whitworth society means not only can I benefit from these networks, but all CDT students can also benefit, be it through introductions to industry, new technologies, to engaging with the broad scope of scholars within the society. This helps the AgriFoRwArdS CDT increase not only its reach but its recognition and impact overall.

Do you want to get involved in the CDT?

If you are interested in learning more about what we do and if you share a passion for agriculture and technology then go to our AgriFoRwArdS CDT website to see more about our research, how you can be involved, and how to apply to be a student in the program.