The challenge invites applicants to submit and debate research that explores the wide range of sociological, political, economic, and environmental benefits provided by electrotechnology. The competition is open to anyone affiliated with an institution of higher education. These include members and heads of faculty, professors, lecturers, post-graduate students, teaching, and research staff.
"The challenge is a really exciting opportunity for us to reflect on the last 100 years of electrotechnological innovation, which has seen more inventions produced than in the history of mankind," explained IEC CEO and General Secretary Ronnie Amit. "We are appealing to the leading academic thinkers from the spheres of science, engineering, economics, and beyond to demonstrate how electrotechnology has shaped and influenced how we live, work, and conduct business today."
"The global economy is increasingly complex and competitive, and companies need to comply with ever-stricter environmental and other regulations," explained IEEE executive director James Prendergast. "Electrotechnology innovation builds on a platform of universally accepted technical rules and specifications, which enable companies to do business more efficiently on a global scale."
Papers may address a range of topics, including: fundamental research and development; energy efficiency and climate change motivation; energy security; public health; roll-out of renewable energy and Smart Grids; waste management; environmental preservation; case studies where electrotechnology and standardization helped solve real-world challenges; economic growth and GDP; laws and regulations; safety of populations; technology transfer and information exchange; corporate efficiency and competitiveness; ability to innovate and export.
Submissions will be judged by a panel including Jacques Régis, former CEO of Hydro Quebec in Montréal and IEC immediate past president; Dr. Moshe Kam, department head of electrical and computer engineering, Drexel University, and 2011 IEEE president; and Paul Markillie, innovation editor at The Economist.
First place ($20,000), second place ($15,000), and third place ($10,000) winners will be honored at a special awards ceremony during the IEC General Meeting in October 2012 in Oslo, Norway.
The deadline for final registration is midnight, March 1, 2012 (UTC); submissions must be completed by July 1, 2012, via www.IECIEEEChallenge.org. For further details, including submission rules, click here.
View the IEC-IEEE Challenge brochure.
About the Organizers
The IEC prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies - collectively known as "electrotechnology" - bringing together 163 countries and close to 10,000 experts on the global level. Via the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the U.S. National Committee (USNC) to the IEC serves as the focal point for U.S. parties interested in the development, promulgation, and use of globally relevant standards for the electrotechnical industry. The committee is also engaged in the assessment of conformance to standards, undertaking work in areas such as testing, certification, and accreditation.
An ANSI member and accredited standards developer, IEEE is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. IEEE has an extensive standards development program with a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 500 standards under development.