Skip to content

Society Awards

Fellows of the Society are invited to submit nominations for the Society’s Awards for 2011 to the Awards Committee. Nominations should ideally be endorsed by several supporters to demonstrate wide support in the community. Proposers and supporters should not be from the nominee's institution or company, although it may be appropriate to obtain a statement from a company on an individual's contribution in the case of Awards in applied areas.

Specialist and Regional Group Committees can make nominations. These need only be signed by the Chair of the Group, who should make it clear that they are representing the whole Committee. The Awards Committee will retain its discretion to move candidates to other categories of award if appropriate.

The criteria for the medals and funds are given below. Only Fellows of the Society under 40 years of age are eligible to receive a Fund.

Nominations must be sent to Stephanie Culver no later than Friday 8 October 2010 using the forms below, and can be sent by email to stephanie.culver@geolsoc.org.uk, or by post to the Awards Secretary, Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG.

Medals


Wollaston Medal


This is the highest award of the Geological Society. This medal is normally given to geologists who have had a significant influence by means of a substantial body of excellent research in either or both 'pure' and 'applied' aspects of the science.

 

Lyell and Murchison Medals


These two Medals (together with the William Smith Medal) are of equal status. They are normally given to people who have made a significant contribution to the science by means of a substantial body of research. The Society regards these two medals very highly and they are not normally awarded on the basis of a few good papers. In the past, Council has often looked for some breadth as well as depth in the contributions before awarding these two medals. Workers in both 'pure' and 'applied' aspects of the geological sciences are eligible. The Lyell Medal is normally given for contributions to 'soft' rock studies and the Murchison for 'hard' rock studies.



William Smith Medal


This Medal was first awarded in 1977. It is of equal status to the Lyell and Murchison medals, but is awarded for excellence in contributions to applied and economic aspects of the science. Candidates must have initiated significant contributions, which will normally take the form of published papers, although in view of the confidential nature of the work in the case of some candidates, other criteria may be used as the basis of the award.

 

Prestwich Medal


Established under the will of Sir Joseph Prestwich (1812-96) 'to apply the accumulated annual proceeds…at the end of every three years, in providing a Gold Medal to the value of Twenty Pounds which, with the remainder of the proceeds is to be awarded… to the person or persons either male or female, and either resident in England or abroad, who shall have done well for the advancement of the Science of Geology; or, from time to time to accumulate the annual proceeds for a period not exceeding six years, and apply the said accumulated annual proceeds to some object of special research bearing on Stratigraphical or Physical Geology, to be carried out by one single individual or by a Committee; or, failing these objects, to accumulate the annual proceeds for either three or six years and devote such proceeds to such special purposes as may be decided'.

 

Aberconway Medal


Established by the Institution of Geologists in 1980, and continued following reunification in 1991.
The Medal is supported by a donation from ECC Ltd., through the generosity of Lord Aberconway. The Medal will normally be awarded to persons aged 45 years or less to recognise distinction in the practice of geology with special reference to work in industry. Awards of the Medal are made biennially.

 

The Major John Sacheverell A'Deane Coke and Major Edward D'Ewes Fitzgerald Coke medals


These awards will be made to scientists for their contributions to geology as is the case with the Lyell and Murchison medals, but in addition recognition may be given to significant service to geology, for example through administrative, organisational or promotional activities resulting in benefits to the community. The field may be extended to include scientists whose training and interests are outside the main fields of geology, but whose contributions are of great significance to our science.

 

The Sue Tyler Friedman Medal


Established in 1987 by the gift of a Northeastern Science Foundation Inc. of Troy, New York for distinguished contributions to the recording of the history of geology. The Medal, which is not confined to those with a geological background or to Fellows of the Society, will normally be awarded annually or at such other intervals as Council may determine, on a world-wide basis without regard to nationality.

 

Funds

 

The Wollaston Fund, the Murchison Fund and the Lyell Fund


These are awarded to contributors to the Earth sciences on the basis of noteworthy published research. Recipients must be Fellows of the Society under the age of 40.

 

The William Smith Fund


This Fund is awarded by Council on the recommendation of the William Smith Committee; the criteria are similar to those used for the William Smith Medal. Recipients must be Fellows of the Society under the age of 40.

 

The R. H. Worth Prize


The R. H. Worth Prize is awarded in recognition of meritorious geological research carried out by amateur geologists, or for the encouragement of geological research by amateurs.

Distinguished Service Award


This award is made annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to geoscience and the geoscience community by virtue of their professional, administrative, organisational or promotional activities.

Previous Winners