Parsons Medal awarded at Birr International STEAM Heritage Festival
The Irish Academy of Engineering recently awarded its highest honour, the Parsons Medal, to leading Irish academic engineer, Professor Vincent Fusco at the Birr International STEAM Heritage Festival.
The Academy awards the Parsons Medal to an engineer who has made an exceptional contribution to the practice of engineering on the island of Ireland that has resulted in significant social or economic impact.
Professor Vincent Fusco was, until recently, Director of Research for the School of Electronic, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Chief Technology Officer of the ECIT Research Institute at Queen’s University of Belfast, where he previously founded an internationally recognised High Frequency Electronics technology research group.
The Parsons Medal, awarded annually, commemorates the work of Sir Charles Algernon Parsons, the inventor of the steam turbine that was used, for example, to propel ships such as HMS Caroline.
The award was presented at the Birr Engineering Heritage Festival, held at Birr Castle Demesne, on Thursday, October 16. The medal was presented to Professor Fusco by Lady Alicia Parsons, a descendant of the Earl of Rosse, Sir Brendan Parsons.
Professor Fusco has an extensive background in wireless engineering and holds a PhD and DSc and Chair of High Frequency Electronics from Queens University Belfast.
He established and led a major internationally renowned research group that works with industry and universities worldwide on advanced wireless antenna technologies for satellite and terrestrial applications.
He has collaborated with many major companies and startups in the wireless sector in Ireland and worldwide. His pioneering work has led to innovations in cellular and satellite technology. He developed advanced microwave and sub-millimetre wave technologies and holds twelve patents related to antennas where he is an acknowledged leader in the field. His research has influenced national and international industry and academia and significantly contributed to sophisticated radio technology development in Ireland and elsewhere.
His other accolades include Fellowships of the Irish Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering award of the IET Mountbatten Medal, and the Royal Irish Academy’s Gold Medal for Engineering Science.
President of the Irish Academy of Engineering Sean Finlay commented: “Ireland has for over 150 years been significant to the growth of global data communications. First, through its undersea transatlantic cables, led by Lord Kelvin in 1858, followed by Marconi’s wireless transmissions of the world’s first commercial radio signal from Rathlin Island to Ballycastle in 1898 and subsequently the world’s first live sports event being wirelessly streamed from the Kingstown Regatta in Dublin Bay. Today wireless is a global business offering mobile users much flexibility.
“Vincent has made an exceptional contribution to the practice of engineering nationally and internationally through the innovative application of engineering to advanced wireless technology.”
Professor Fusco said: “The Irish Academy of Engineering provides independent advice to policy makers on issues related to engineering and technology. I am honoured to be the recipient of the 2025 Irish Academy of Engineering’s Parsons medal and would like to thank the Academy for selecting me. It is an honour to receive this recognition for engineering achievement. Throughout my career I have been privileged to have collaborated with inspirational colleagues and students on many problems in the field of wireless communication that are of relevance to today’s world where the ability to connect wirelessly is a key social, and economic driver.”