Deadline: February 11, 2025
Applications are open for the International Water Association (IWA) MEWE Ardern-Lockett Award 2025. The Ardern-Lockett Award recognizes outstanding contributions to research and practice in Microbial Ecology and Water Engineering. The activated sludge process was invented in 1913-1914 by Mr. Edward Ardern, a chemist at the Manchester-Davyhulme wastewater treatment plant, and his co-worker, Mr. William Lockett.
Ardern and Lockett understood for the first time the active role of floc formation during the aeration of wastewater, known now as activated sludge. They introduced a recycling of this suspension formed during the aeration period and worked vigorously to scale up the observation. Ardern and Lockett worked under the guidance of Gilbert John Fowler. The group had strong links to the research centre at Lawrence Experiment Station in Massachusetts. Though they studied isolates from the sludge, they found the indigenous bacteria to be more effective.
The award is named after Ardern and Lockett in recognition of the MEWE Specialist Group’s strong link to the Activated Sludge process, and investigations into the microbial population dynamics of these systems but also in recognition of their exemplary ability to link discovery to application.
Eligibility
The nominee is required to meet the following criteria:
- Has made outstanding long-term contributions to research and practice in the field of Microbial Ecology and Water Engineering.
- Has demonstrated excellence in leadership and innovation and pursued excellence through their impactful contribution to the field of microbial ecology and water engineering.
- Has demonstrated an active commitment towards the success of MEWE through tangible significant contributions beyond academia and research (e.g. innovative thinking and application of sustainable solutions for water engineering and practice, active engagement with stakeholders, knowledge transfer and outreach activities).
- Has been at the forefront of efforts towards linking microbial ecology and water engineering, shaping the strategic direction of the field and influencing both academia and industry practice.
- Has been an active IWA member by sustained contributions to the IWA community through events and activities or any other relevant contribution.
Nomination
The nominee must provide:
- A short curriculum vitae, listing up to 5 representative outputs (maximum 4 pages). The impact of each output for the MEWE field should be explained in max. 3-5 lines per output.
- A write-up highlighting the nominee’s accomplishments with regard to the above criteria and his/her future ambitions in the field of MEWE (maximum 2 pages).
- Two support letters from external referees consisting of one national/regional referee and one international referee, of which one must be an IWA member (maximum 1 page per letter).
- The contact details of a third independent referee (name, affiliation, email, and phone) who can testify about the impact of the nominee’s contribution, and who can be contacted by the award committee.
For more information, visit IWA MEWE Ardern-Lockett Award.
