Video retrospective celebrates 50 years of the A B Wood medal

A video production featuring thoughts and recollections from some of the preeminent scientists of the past half century in the field of underwater acoustics has been published by the Institute of Acoustics and the UK Acoustics Network to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the A B Wood medal. The medal with attendant prize is awarded in alternate years to acousticians based in the UK/Europe (even years) and in the USA/Canada (odd years). It is aimed at younger researchers, usually aged under 40, whose work is associated with the sea. Having graduated from Manchester University in 1912, Albert Beaumont Wood became one of the first two research scientists at the Admiralty to work on antisubmarine defence. He designed the first directional hydrophone and was well known for the many contributions he made to the science of underwater acoustics and for the help he gave to younger colleagues.

One of the 24 medal winners featured in the video is Dr. Michael Ainslie, a senior scientist with JASCO Applied Sciences based in the Netherlands. Although Michael’s early career work recognized in the awarding of the prize in 1998 much predates his joining JASCO, the company’s Chief Communications Officer Roberto Racca remarked that “one of the greatest strengths of our organization is attracting to our team the talent exemplified by Dr. Ainslie’s achievements over a distinguished career, and sharing our collective knowledge and expertise among our scientific team to ever better our capabilities.”

Watch the entire video via the Institute of Acoustics YouTube channel.

Learn more about the Institute of Acoustics, the UK's professional body for those working in acoustics, noise, sound, and vibration.