Stephen Metcalf has won this year's Bill Gates Sr Prize for his outstanding contribution to academia, Gates Cambridge and the wider community
Stephen has made an exceptional contribution to the Trust’s strategic thinking about how it can best support Scholars in their professional development.
Eilis Ferran
An outstanding scholar who has led efforts to strengthen the Gates Cambridge community has won this year’s Bill Gates Sr Prize in recognition of the way he exemplifies the Gates Cambridge values.
Stephen Metcalf [2019] has been selected for the prize which was established by the Gates Cambridge Trustees in June 2012 in recognition of the late Bill Gates Sr.’s role in establishing the Gates Cambridge Scholarships, being a Trustee and engaging with, and inspiring, many generations of Gates Cambridge Scholars.
The award, announced at the graduation dinner on Friday, allows Scholars to recognise the impact and contribution to the Scholar community of one of their peers, with particular reference to the Scholarship’s selection criteria.
Stephen Metcalf is doing a PhD in Public Health and Primary Care and is also Director of the Learning for Purpose programme, Gates Cambridge’s professional development initiative. He was recognised for his exceptional academic contributions to the field of Public Health and Primary Care, his visionary leadership and his deep commitment to improving the lives of others.
Stephen has published over 15 scholarly articles, contributing significant knowledge to his field. His research focuses on resilience against early-life adversity, exploring why some children thrive despite challenging upbringings and has practical implications for public health strategies and interventions.
He was also praised for the leadership he has shown In his role as the Learning for Purpose Director. He has developed and led a comprehensive curriculum of workshops and events that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills. He has collaborated with organisations like Ashoka and fostered a supportive scholarly environment through speaker training, creative writing groups and community-building activities like football and Frisbee sessions.
Stephen also advocates for the University rent guarantor scheme, addressing a significant barrier to housing for students, particularly international ones. In addition, he teaches ethics to medical students, leads a mental health reading and discussion group, and organises a weekly meditation course.
One nominator said: “I strongly believe that Stephen is an exemplary candidate for the Bill Gates Sr. Prize. His outstanding achievements and the positive impact of his work make him a deserving recipient of this prestigious recognition.”
Another stated: “Stephen is one of the main faces of the Gates Cambridge community, and one of the people whose generosity has made my experience in Cambridge so deeply stimulating.”
Eilis Ferran, Provost of the Gates Cambridge Trust, said: “Stephen is a very deserving recipient of the Bill Gates Sr. Prize. His work both academically, in the Gates Cambridge community and more broadly have had real impact. He has made an exceptional contribution to the Trust’s strategic thinking about how it can best support Scholars in their professional development.”
*Top photo of Stephen with Eilis Ferran [left] and Mimi Gates [right].
