Nominations for 2014
Fellows of the Society are invited to submit nominations for the Society’s Awards for 2014 to the Awards Committee. Nominations should ideally be endorsed by several supporters to demonstrate wide support in the community. Proposers and supporters must not be from the nominee's institution or company (with the exception of the Wollaston, Lyell, Murchison and William Smith Funds – see guidance notes), 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. Please also refer to the guidance notes below.
Nominations must be sent to Stephanie Jones no later than Friday, 4 October 2013 using the forms below. Email stephanie.jones@geolsoc.org.uk or post to - Awards Secretary, Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG.
The Society’s Awards for 2013 will be presented at President’s Day at Burlington House on 5 June. Please click on the link to the right to see our Award winners for 2013.
MEDALS
Medals are awarded for significant research contributions to science OR contributions to applied and economic geology OR eminent contributions to any branch of geology OR distinction in the practice of geology (criteria depending on Medal).
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, Murchison and William Smith Medals
These three Medals are of equal status. The Society regards them very highly and they are not normally awarded on the basis of a few good papers or achievements. In the past, Council has often looked for some breadth as well as depth in the contributions before awarding these Medals.
The Lyell and Murchison Medals are normally given to people who have made a significant contribution to the science by means of a substantial body of research. 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.
The William Smith Medal is awarded for excellence in contributions to applied and economic aspects of geoscience. Candidates must have initiated significant contributions, which will normally take the form of published papers and verifiable achievements in the application of geoscience, 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.
The Major John Sacheverell A'Deane Coke and Major Edward D'Ewes Fitzgerald Coke Medals
The 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. Also 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 Prestwich Medal
This Medal is awarded every three years to persons ‘who shall have done well for the advancement of the science of geology’.
The 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 receivers' 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'.
The Sue Tyler Friedman Medal
Established in 1987 by the gift of the 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 considerations.
The Aberconway Medal
Established in 1992 by a donation from English China Clays Ltd, 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.
FUNDS
The R H Worth Prize
This 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
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.
The Wollaston, Lyell, Murchison and William Smith Funds
Recipients must be within ten years (full time equivalent) of the award of their first degree in geoscience or a cognate subject.
The Wollaston, Lyell and Murchison Funds are awarded to contributors to the Earth Sciences on the basis of noteworthy published research. The William Smith Fund is awarded for excellence in contributions to applied and economic aspects of geoscience.
President's Award
These Awards, instituted in 1980 by Professor Perce Allen, are conferred upon geoscientists who are within ten years of their first degree in geoscience or a cognate subject and who have made a notable early contribution to the science.