Thursday, February 20, 2014

Gold Medal award

This afternoon I’m heading into Dublin to receive the Royal Irish Academy’s Gold Medal for the Social Sciences, presented by An Taoiseach (prime minister), Enda Kenny TD.  The medals are considered the highest award an academic can receive in Ireland, and are presented once every two years.  I’m obviously delighted and honoured to be the 2013 recipient.  I’m also a little bemused as they usually seem to be presented to folk who are nearer to the end of their career than the start.  I’m also acutely aware that the award is a reflection of a lot of collaboration.  Since starting my PhD just over twenty years ago I’ve worked with a lot of great people on various projects and publications, receiving some wonderful support and camaraderie, and if you’re one of those people I owe you a debt of thanks.  After the ceremony I have to go for a meal with the Editor of the Irish Times, the Head of RTE (the national broadcaster), and the Director of the Higher Education Authority, so I guess I’ll need to be on my best behaviour and to try and keep my foot out of my mouth.  These kinds of ceremony gigs are not my scene, but I’ll try my best to enjoy it.  You never know, I might even do so.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

My warmest congratulations, Rob

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and well done, Rob! Enjoy your well-earned moment of glory! :-)

Judith said...

Thank you for sharing the joy of this magnificent accomplishment!
Judith (Reader in the Wilderness)

TracyK said...

Very cool, Rob. Congratulations on having your work recognized.

Bill Selnes said...

Congratulations Rob. It is a great recognition of your work. I hope you fully enjoy the celebration. I do not think there are enough times of celebration in life.

Rob Kitchin said...

Thanks, everyone. The congrats are very much appreciated. It was a nice ceremony and evening.

Anonymous-9 said...

WOW! My warmest congratulations from Los Angeles. You deserve this Rob, and the crime writing community is so lucky to have you. (As well as the Social Sciences, of course!)
Best regards,
Elaine Ash
(Anonymous-9)