Recent News
New IAQM awards now open for nominations
We are delighted to announce that all IAQM awards are now open for nominations. Nomination forms will remain open until 5pm on 26th August, after which submissions will be judged ahead of the award ceremony at the end of day one of this year’s Routes to Clean Air conference.
There are four new awards on offer, so please familiarise yourself with the criteria and begin thinking about your nominations! We look forward to reviewing submissions and celebrating the excellence of the air quality community and IAQM members at all career stages.
All award winners will receive:
Eligibility: Both UK air quality professionals and those outside of the profession are eligible for this award. They do not need to be an IAQM member.
Making a nomination: Nominations must be submitted by a member of the IAQM. Nominations should detail the work done and the individual’s impacts on the industry. Examples of work and testimonials should be provided as appropriate.
Click here to submit a nomination for the IAQM President’s Award.
Eligibility: Any individual working in or researching air quality is eligible for this award. They do not need to be a member of the IAQM.
Making a nomination: Nominations must be submitted by a member of the IAQM. Nominations should detail the work done and its impacts on the industry. Examples of work and testimonials should be provided as appropriate.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Robert Angus Smith Award.
Eligibility: Groups or organisations are eligible. They do not need to be a member of the IAQM. The innovation in question must have been developed or implemented in the last 12 months.
Making a nomination: Nominations should detail the work done and its impacts on the industry. Examples are required and testimonials are of benefit. Self-nominations are permitted from IAQM members and non-members.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Mary Catterall Clean Air Award.
Eligibility: This award is open to IAQM ECN members only. The IAQM defines ‘early career’ as individuals in the first 10 years of their air quality career. The individual must have attended at least one live IAQM event within the 12 months preceding the application. They also must have contributed to at least one event (IAQM or IES) on a subject relevant to the field of air quality in the 12 months preceding the application. Contributions may include: presentations, articles, blogs, posters etc.
Making a nomination: Self-nomination, including provision of a reference who is also an IAQM member. The nomination should provide details of contribution and of event(s) attended, as well as a short reflection on how your contribution has supported your professional development.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Helen ApSimon Award.
Eligibility: This award is open to IAQM ECN members only. The IAQM defines ‘early career’ as individuals in the first 10 years of their air quality career.
Submitting an essay: IAQM ECN members wishing to enter should submit their essay (maximum 650 words) at the link below, answering the following question:
“The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) launched a new inquiry into air pollution in 2026. The inquiry aims to investigate the ongoing public health risks and environmental consequences of air pollution in the UK. Prepare a written submission acting as though you were providing evidence to the inquiry by answering: What evidence exists of the extent of air pollution directly or indirectly impacting human health in the UK, are there differential impacts (geographically, and across socioeconomic groups), and are current regulatory mechanisms suitable to address this?”
Click here to submit an entry for the Ian McCrae Award.
There are four new awards on offer, so please familiarise yourself with the criteria and begin thinking about your nominations! We look forward to reviewing submissions and celebrating the excellence of the air quality community and IAQM members at all career stages.
All award winners will receive:
- A trophy
- Ticket(s) to Routes to Clean Air 2026
- Publicity on the IAQM website and LinkedIn page
Individual awards
The IAQM President’s Award
This award recognises significant achievement and services in the field of air quality and will be awarded to an individual who has championed improving air quality, including growing awareness, within the air quality industry and outside of it. The deciding vote for this award falls to the IAQM President, which is an honorary position elected by the IAQM Committee, recognising those who have played a key role in the Institute and is designed to provide recognition for an outstanding contribution. The current IAQM President is Claire Holman.Eligibility: Both UK air quality professionals and those outside of the profession are eligible for this award. They do not need to be an IAQM member.
Making a nomination: Nominations must be submitted by a member of the IAQM. Nominations should detail the work done and the individual’s impacts on the industry. Examples of work and testimonials should be provided as appropriate.
Click here to submit a nomination for the IAQM President’s Award.
The Robert Angus Smith Award
This award recognises an air quality professional who has advanced scientific understanding and knowledge of air quality both within the profession and beyond. It is named in honour of Robert Angus Smith, who was was the government’s first Alkali Inspector. He is credited with the phrase ‘Acid Rain’, with his work in 19th century Britain supporting the rise of the atmospheric chemist, ensuring chemical works obeyed new pollution laws.Eligibility: Any individual working in or researching air quality is eligible for this award. They do not need to be a member of the IAQM.
Making a nomination: Nominations must be submitted by a member of the IAQM. Nominations should detail the work done and its impacts on the industry. Examples of work and testimonials should be provided as appropriate.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Robert Angus Smith Award.
Group/organisation awards
The Mary Catterall Clean Air Award
This award recognises an innovative solution to bring about a positive change and a move towards clean air in the UK. It is awarded in honour of Dr. Mary Catterall, who was a doctor and sculptor, and was the script and medical advisor to the film, It Takes Your Breath Away. Dr. Catterall became concerned with the effect of air pollution on lung health when she was appointed Senior Registrar in Respiratory Medicine at Leeds General Infirmary, England in 1960.Eligibility: Groups or organisations are eligible. They do not need to be a member of the IAQM. The innovation in question must have been developed or implemented in the last 12 months.
Making a nomination: Nominations should detail the work done and its impacts on the industry. Examples are required and testimonials are of benefit. Self-nominations are permitted from IAQM members and non-members.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Mary Catterall Clean Air Award.
Early Career Network (ECN) Awards
The Helen ApSimon Award
This award recognises an outstanding contribution to the IAQM by an early career professional. It is named in honour of Professor Helen ApSimon, who is a distinguished UK environmental scientist known for her expertise in air pollution and atmospheric chemistry. She has made significant contributions to research on the transport and effects of air pollutants, particularly in relation to acid rain and transboundary pollution.Eligibility: This award is open to IAQM ECN members only. The IAQM defines ‘early career’ as individuals in the first 10 years of their air quality career. The individual must have attended at least one live IAQM event within the 12 months preceding the application. They also must have contributed to at least one event (IAQM or IES) on a subject relevant to the field of air quality in the 12 months preceding the application. Contributions may include: presentations, articles, blogs, posters etc.
Making a nomination: Self-nomination, including provision of a reference who is also an IAQM member. The nomination should provide details of contribution and of event(s) attended, as well as a short reflection on how your contribution has supported your professional development.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Helen ApSimon Award.
The Ian McCrae Award
This award recognises an outstanding essay written by an early career professional answering a question put forward by the IAQM ECN Subcommittee. The award is named in honour of Dr. Ian McCrae, who was a very well-respected and widely liked air quality practitioner who worked for TRL. He made significant contributions to the understanding of emissions from transport and their links with air quality.Eligibility: This award is open to IAQM ECN members only. The IAQM defines ‘early career’ as individuals in the first 10 years of their air quality career.
Submitting an essay: IAQM ECN members wishing to enter should submit their essay (maximum 650 words) at the link below, answering the following question:
“The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) launched a new inquiry into air pollution in 2026. The inquiry aims to investigate the ongoing public health risks and environmental consequences of air pollution in the UK. Prepare a written submission acting as though you were providing evidence to the inquiry by answering: What evidence exists of the extent of air pollution directly or indirectly impacting human health in the UK, are there differential impacts (geographically, and across socioeconomic groups), and are current regulatory mechanisms suitable to address this?”
Click here to submit an entry for the Ian McCrae Award.