Society Awards

Nominations for 2012

Nominations for 2012 are now closed. Details of the award winners will be posted early in 2012.

Stephanie Jones
Awards Secretary
Geological Society
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1J 0BG

stephanie.jones@geolsoc.org.uk

The Society’s Awards for 2011 were presented at President’s Day at Burlington House on 8 June.

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 be awarded normally to persons with no more than 25 years full time equivalent experience and 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.

Bigsby Medal

Founded by John Jeremiah Bigsby (1792-1881), and to be awarded biennially 'as an acknowledgement of eminent services in any department of Geology, irrespective of the receiver’s country; but (s)he must have done no more than 20 years full time equivalent research, thus probably not too old for further work, and not too young to have done much'.

 

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 and within ten years (full time equivalent) of the commencement of their research career.

 

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 and within ten years (full time equivalent) of the commencement of their research career.

 

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

• View the list of all the winners of awards and funds since 1831
• View the citations and replies from 2001 onwards