University News Last updated 09 June
Professor Jean-Baptiste Souppez has been honoured with two prestigious international research awards for pioneering work helping to shape the future of sustainable shipping and boatbuilding.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and STEAM Education at Birmingham City Universuty (BCU), he received the Medal of Distinction and the Austin Farrar Prize from the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) at its annual general meeting in London.
Founded in 1860 to advance the art and science of ship design, RINA is the UK’s third-oldest and the world’s fourth-oldest professional engineering institution.
The awards were presented at the Institution’s Annual General Meeting on 28 May 2026 at RINA’s headquarters in London.
Professor Souppez received the Medal of Distinction for his paper .
The award recognises his pioneering research in experimental fluid dynamics, using advanced particle image velocimetry techniques to visualise and better understand airflow around wind-assisted ship wings and yacht sails.
His work is helping accelerate the development of wind-assisted ship propulsion technologies, a key innovation in the global effort to decarbonise shipping. The research also forms part of BCU’s contribution to the UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub.
Since joining the Hub in 2025, BCU has been part of a major collaboration involving 14 universities and more than 70 industry partners working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the maritime sector.
Professor Tony Roskilly, Director of the UK National Clean Maritime Hub, said wind-assisted propulsion technologies are set to play a key role in reducing emissions from shipping, adding that Professor Souppez’s research is helping to accelerate their development and adoption.
"His work will contribute to maximising the performance, reliability, and operational integration of these systems and provide a deeper understanding of the complex airflow interactions that occur around wind-assisted ship structures under realistic marine operating conditions,” said Professor Roskilly.
Professor Souppez was also awarded the Austin Farrar Prize for his paper .
This second award recognises his research into the structural behaviour of traditional timber small craft and complements his wider international work on standards and regulation.
“It is an immense honour to be recognised with two prestigious international awards for two separate pieces of research," said Professor Souppez, who currently serves as convenor for international ISO standards relating to small craft structures.
"I am personally delighted to contribute to BCU’s ambition to create knowledge for good, and to see such prominent awards recognise the outstanding research being undertaken at the University.”
He added: “These awards are particularly meaningful because they recognise two very different, but equally important, areas of sustainability.
"One focuses on cleaner shipping through wind-assisted propulsion for large vessels, while the other helps preserve and better understand traditional wooden structures, supporting the use of more sustainable materials in small craft construction.”
Pictured: Professor Jean-Baptiste Souppez (right) receives his awards from Catriona Savage, President of RINA