22 Jun 2026
Professor Thomas Adcock recognised for outstanding research supervision
One of ten supervisors from across the Division given awards for their exceptional commitment to mentoring and supporting colleagues in 2025/26
The Awards for Outstanding Research Supervision, now in their fourth year, were established in the 2022/23 academic year. They celebrate research staff and academics who consistently excel in their supervision of research colleagues and show a strong professional commitment to nurturing talent and supporting career development.
Each nomination for the awards required a minimum of two supporting statements submitted by researchers and students, highlighting the impact of the nominee’s mentorship. Earlier this term, a judging panel of research staff representatives from the Divisional Research Staff Forum met to review the nominations and select this year’s ten award recipients. Each recipient has demonstrated outstanding dedication to inspiring others and fostering an environment in which researchers can thrive and progress in their careers.
Professor Jim Naismith, Head of MPLS Division, says, "Great research depends on great people, and great people are developed through thoughtful supervision, mentorship and support. Our future is written in the work of today's students, making the role of outstanding supervisors more important than ever. Across our Division, we are fortunate to have colleagues who invest enormous time and care in helping students and early-career researchers grow in confidence, develop new skills, and realise their potential."
"My congratulations to all of this year's award winners. They exemplify the very best of our academic community through their generosity, leadership, and commitment to others. I would also like to thank everyone who was nominated for the positive difference they make to the lives and careers of researchers across MPLS."
Thomas Adcock is Professor of Engineering Science, Tutorial Fellow and Senior Tutor at St Peter's College. His research group looks at how engineers understand the ocean environment and how infrastructure interacts with this and seek to understand ocean hydrodynamics for applications such as marine energy -primarily offshore wind.
Professor Adcock is described as an exceptional supervisor whose mentorship combines thoughtful, adaptive guidance with deep personal investment in his researchers’ growth. His approach is “far from a one-size-fits-all model,” demonstrating a “keen emotional intelligence” that allows him to tailor support -providing “gentle, steady scaffolding” for those building confidence, while granting “high-level autonomy to senior members.”
He says, "I have been very fortunate to work with such a talented and supportive team, and I am deeply honoured that they nominated me for this award. Mentoring the next generation of scientists is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. It is a privilege to watch them push the frontiers of knowledge and innovation, and then go on to build successful and impactful careers of their own."
The judging panel noted Professor Adcock's commitment in providing weekly one-to-one meetings and his habit of “championing students’ work in their absence”, resulting in him quietly strengthening their professional reputations. As one nominator put it; “I would not be in my current lectureship without his belief, time, and unwavering support.”
He cultivates independence by challenging researchers to think critically rather than simply execute. His practical support is equally striking—offering extra tutorials, editing papers “line by line,” and preparing students through mock presentations and interviews that lead to major prizes and career success.
Beyond formal supervision, Professor Adcock creates a deeply supportive and inclusive culture. He is described as “consistently approachable and responsive,” organizing 'welfare walks' during lockdown and fostering cohesion through “away days… punting trips, and open research discussions.” He normalises failure, ensuring setbacks “never allow… personal doubts”, and, as one nominator describes, provides “pastoral care and career sponsorship that far exceeds any formal university mandate.”
