The Paul Dockerill Award
In February 2024, CIOB announced that it was launching the inaugural Paul Dockerill Award, open to anyone in the UK, which provides up to £10,000 to fuel innovation, resident engagement, and an increased focus on fire safety.
The award celebrates Paul Dockerill FCIOB, who passed away suddenly in November 2022. Paul, a CIOB Trustee, was a visionary and a dedicated professional in the construction and built environment industry, and the award reflects his passion for innovation in building safety through mentoring, skills development, and, most importantly, the improvement of fire safety and resident engagement in the UK.
His pioneering initiatives, notably the development with DEEO of the Twinnedit digital twin solution created following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, showcased his commitment to enhancing fire safety and building regulations. Paul was a founding member of the Housing Safety and Wellbeing Taskforce.
His legacy lives on through The Paul Dockerill Award, inspiring future innovators in the construction sector. The prestigious award is managed by the CIOB and is open to any UK resident looking to develop a research project fuelled by innovation, skills development, fire safety, and resident engagement. Paul believed that positive change could come from anyone, regardless of their background or professional affiliation, and as such the award is open to anyone with fresh and innovative ideas, CIOB members and non-members alike.
Your application should meet one or more of the key focus areas listed below:
- Innovation: Ground-breaking ideas that can revolutionise construction, particularly in the context of fire safety and resident engagement.
- Skills Building: The development of skills, people looking to enter the industry that can elevate the construction and built environment industry.
- Fire Safety: Projects that focus on improving fire safety measures in residential settings.
- Resident Engagement: Fostering strong connections between residents and their surroundings and enabling resident participation.
Possible projects for the award could include, but are not limited to:
- Renewable energy systems for residents.
- Safety app to allow residents to communicate about fire risks and building updates.
- Educational materials for building safety.
- A toolkit for landlord-resident collaboration.
- Virtual reality for building safety training.
- A real-time safety dashboard for housing.
- A housing innovation challenge.
- Professional development in building safety.
- A resident voice group.
- Or any other project that fits with the key focus areas.
Applications open on 1 February 2024, and must be submitted by 30 June 2024. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in July 2024 (date TBC), with the funding available to successful applicants for up to 18 months.
You can find out how to apply here.
--CIOB
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.