ORC Future Photonics Leaders Awards Announced
The Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton has announced the winners of its 2026 ORC Future Photonics Leaders Awards, celebrating outstanding PhD researchers who are helping shape the future of the global photonics industry.
Congratulations to Joel Keen, the winner of the Professor Sir David Payne Student Scholar prize and Thomas Grant, the winner of the Team ’96 prize.
The annual awards recognise exceptional academic performance and research promise among doctoral students working in photonics. The honours also carry cash prizes and considerable prestige, with previous winners noting the awards strengthen their CVs, open doors to new collaborations, and boost confidence early in their research careers.
This year’s Professor Sir David Payne Student Scholar Award, presented to the best-performing first-year PhD student, was awarded to Joel for his outstanding academic achievements during the first year of doctoral study. Joel was nominated by his supervisor, Dr Paul Gow for his work with ultra-precision machine tools and his enthusiasm and self-motivation shortly after joining.
Dr Paul Gow said: “I couldn't be happier that Joel won the DNP student prize. Joel joined the group as a PhD student after seeing some of our work on ultra-precision machining. Within months of joining us, he independently started collaborations with groups in life science and mechanical engineering, has contributed to multiple projects, and established himself as an approachable and helpful member of the ORC. His enthusiasm and motivation have paid dividends, leading to publications, conference presentations, and an invited talk, as well as engaging with industry partners. Joel is an indispensable member of the group and thoroughly deserves the award. Well done, Joel!”
Joel said: "I am delighted to have received this award, recognising my achievement as a first year PhD student. It has been an inspirational experience working at the ORC for the past year and I have enjoyed developing novel manufacturing processes for photonics and quantum technology. I'd like to thank all my supervisors, group colleagues, internal and external collaborators for helping me progress and promote my research in ultra-precision machined optical surfaces."
The Team ’96 Prize Fund, which recognises the top-performing final-year PhD student, was awarded to Thomas, who was nominated by his supervisor, Professor Kevin MacDonald. Tom was nominated for his strong academic performance and his exemplary, collegiate approach to working with and supporting others in the research group.
Professor Kevin MacDonald said: “Tom’s award is richly deserved – his work on Fisher information in optical scattering metrology is gaining international recognition as part of a paradigm shift whereby the design task in optical measurement and sensing can be reframed as an ‘information engineering’ exercise.”
Thomas said: “I am delighted, and honoured, to have been awarded the Team ’96 Prize. I feel very lucky to have undertaken my PhD in the nanophotonics and metamaterials at the ORC, and I’m very grateful to the mentors, colleagues, and collaborators who have supported, encouraged, and inspired me along the way. It has been a pleasure spending the last 4 years learning all things light, all things metrology, and all things Fisher information!”
The ORC created the Future Photonics Leaders Awards to highlight the dedication of PhD researchers who are investing their time, talent and innovation into advancing the photonics sector.
By recognising outstanding early-career researchers, the ORC hopes to encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers whose discoveries will shape the future of light-based technologies.
Professor Graham Reed, Director of the ORC said: “Each year these awards highlight the exceptional talent within our PhD community, Joel and Thomas have shown outstanding dedication to their research, and it’s exciting to see the next generation of photonics leaders emerging.”