The ENGRAVE (Electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources at the Very Large Telescope) collaboration have received the award for their work in tracing the origins of the universe’s heaviest elements.

Three Queen’s academics were key to the start of this new field back in 2017. They were integral to the development of Europe’s leading science consortium working on the origin of the heavy elements.

Professor Stephen Smartt and Professor Stuart Sim from the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen’s led one of the defining papers back in 2017, which is recognised by the award. Dr Matt Nicholl and Professor Sim were also both awarded multi-million European Research Council grants at Queen’s to build on these discoveries as part of ENGRAVE.

Supernova explosions and merging neutron stars

Many of the elements in the periodic table are forged in supernova explosions but the origin of the heaviest elements, those beyond iron, has been debated for over 70 years.

The ENGRAVE collaboration’s work has helped uncover a source of production of these elements, some of which are building blocks of our existence. 

Professor Smartt is also Wetton Professor of Astrophysics at Oxford University and the Director of the Hintze Centre for Astrophysical Surveys. He was one of the founding members of the ENGRAVE collaboration and the first Chair of the Governing Council.

Upon accepting the award, he commented: “‘It is fantastic to receive this award. I am very proud of the European community coming together in 2018 to combine their talents and deciding to work together on these rare sources – rather than compete for telescope time."

Professor Smartt added: “The Queen’s group was one of the driving forces in the formation of ENGRAVE, and this has been taken forward by Dr Matt Nicholl and Professor Stuart Sim who are working on some of the most interesting problems in gravitational wave sources and how to model the light we see.”

Answering fundamental questions

Professor Smartt said: “It has been wonderful to see the younger scientists in the team enthusiastically work together, constantly sharing ideas and responding to new data in real time. There is real energy and insight from the team whenever we respond to a gravitational wave alert.

‘This is a new era of multi-messenger astronomy, where gravitational waves and light together help us to answer fundamental questions about our universe and who we are. Through ENGRAVE, we have demonstrated what we can achieve with European collaboration. Queen’s University was at the heart of this new collaboration, which is being recognised with this award.”

Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund congratulated the winners, saying: “ENGRAVE shows what can be achieved when researchers across countries and institutions work together to solve the universe’s greatest mysteries."

“Their discovery of the building blocks that form our planet and ourselves is a brilliant example of European research: Curious, open and responsible. At the same time, the group has generously invited young talents to join their journey, ensuring the next generation of researchers who can continue to explore the secrets of the universe. ENGRAVE is a role model for the research culture of the future.”

The Into Change Award has in 2025 been made possible through generous contributions from the Carlsberg Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Villum Foundation.

The awards honour outstanding European research groups whose work drives scientific breakthroughs, benefits society and reflects core values like curiosity, collaboration and openness. Queen’s University scientists were founding members of the award-winning collaboration.

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