{
  "id": 17209517,
  "title": "UCD recognises Jocelyn Bell Burnell for achievements in science and philanthropy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/ucd-recognises-jocelyn-bell-burnell-for-achievements-in-science-and",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-30T09:38:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Silicon Republic",
    "slug": "silicon-republic",
    "url": "https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/ucd-jocelyn-bell-burnell-achievements-science-philanthropy-awards"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the astrophysicist, has been recognised by the University College Dublin (UCD) with the prestigious Ulysses Medal for her significant scientific achievements and dedication to nurturing the next generation of researchers. This award, typically given to individuals who have made immense contributions on a global scale, places Burnell in esteemed company, alongside figures such as Margaret Atwood, Mary McAleese, and Geoffrey Hinton.\n\nBorn and raised in Northern Ireland, Burnell initially faced challenges in pursuing her passion for astronomy due to her gender. Despite being discouraged from pursuing STEM subjects in school, she persevered, eventually becoming one of the few girls in her science class and topping her peers in physics. Her academic journey led her to the University of Glasgow and Cambridge University, where she pursued a PhD and made her groundbreaking discovery of pulsars, a type of pulsating radio star.\n\nRemarkably, Burnell's discovery was not shared in the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1974, which was awarded to her supervisor, Antony Hewish, and another professor from Cambridge. The exclusion of Burnell from the recognition highlights the historical disregard for the accomplishments of women in the field of science.\n\nIn 2018, Burnell made a significant philanthropic gesture by donating £2.3 million to establish the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund at UCD. This fund, supported by the Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, aims to support students from underrepresented backgrounds, empowering them to continue pursuing careers in science. Prof Lorraine Hanlon, a full professor of astronomy at UCD, lauded Burnell's impact, stating that her brilliance has been instrumental in advocating for curiosity-driven research, equity, and global science diplomacy. Her legacy continues to inspire and support the next generation of scientific leaders.",
  "summary": "The astrophysicist has a long legacy of scientific research, discovery and supporting the wider STEM community. Read more: UCD recognises Jocelyn Bell Burnell for achievements in science and philanthropy",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}