SAFE Europe Annual Awards are presented during the symposium.
Held during the symposium, the SAFE Europe Annual Awards recognise outstanding contributions to safety and survival across the industry, celebrating the individuals, teams and organisations pushing the field forward.
SAFE Europe Student of the Year Award
Presented to an outstanding Aeromedical Research Student at King’s College London, this award celebrates excellence in aeromedical research and academic achievement. It was established in honour of the late Air Vice Marshal John “JE” Ernsting CB, OBE, FRCP, FRAeS, whose distinguished service as a senior Royal Air Force commander, eminent medical researcher, and former Chair of SAFE Europe left a lasting legacy in the field.
The 2026 SAFE Europe Student of The Year Award is presented to Dr Payam Ghoddousi, Kings College University / CAA, on ‘Mental Health Certification Outcomes and Assessment Timelines in UK Aviation’.
SAFE Europe Best Paper Award
The SAFE Europe Best Paper Award honours and promotes outstanding research contributions from scholars, students, and Survival Equipment professionals. It recognises papers distinguished by innovation, technical excellence, and meaningful impact on the Survival Equipment and Aircrew Flight Equipment community, celebrating work that inspires further inquiry and advances knowledge across the field.
The 2026 SAFE Europe Best Paper is awarded to Dr Katie Plummer and Lucy Green, QinetiQ, for their paper entitled ‘Equity in Aircrew Equipment: Analysis of P/Q oxygen mask fit for males vs females using 3D digital analysis’.
SAFE Europe Best Exhibitor
Established in 2003, the SAFE Europe Best Exhibitor Award honours excellence in exhibition and recognises recipients with the distinguished WL Gore Trophy.
The 2026 SAFE Europe Best Exhibitor Award, the WL Gore Trophy, was presented to the Beaufort Group and accepted on its behalf by Mr David Stelling.