Society Awards 2026 Winners Reactions

What does winning this award mean to you? 

A fantastic honour and justification for sticking to early ideas and developing them over a lifetime. 

What do you find the most rewarding about your field? 

Discovery – encountering unexpected geology or getting an unexpected result from laboratory testing and finding explanations that have both a global and local cause and overcoming the difficulties these create. 

Any advice you would give to the next generation of geoscientists venturing into your field? 

Stay enthusiastic, never give up, follow your dream and never be afraid to challenge currently held views. 

Image credit: Danny Long

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What does winning this award mean to you? 

I am both humbled and honoured to be recognised by the Geological Society as having made a significant contribution to the Earth Sciences. This award reflects the contributions and collaborations with numerous colleagues and students spanning more decades than I’m comfortable admitting! 

What do you find the most rewarding about your field? 

To this day, I find spending time out in the field to be the most rewarding and exciting component of my work. Although there have been incredible advances in the many facets of Earth Sciences across my career, detailed field observations and careful mapping remain fundamental skillsets. Ultimately, unravelling Earth’s history requires the constraints provided by the rocks beneath our feet. This is reflected in Roderick Murchison’s substantial contributions, which were built on extensive field studies. 

I am pleased that the Geological Society’s degree accreditation program recognises the importance of field training. This is crucial in ensuring universities in the UK continue to develop a strong foundation in fieldwork for the next generation of geoscientists. 

I also immensely enjoy interacting with our future young scientists from whom I have learnt a great deal, and I hope that in my own small way I have helped to nurture their development. 

Any advice you would give to the next generation of geoscientists venturing into your field? 

Young geoscientists face a challenging future in our ever-changing and uncertain world. To succeed they will require a breadth of knowledge, a willingness to explore new research topics and develop new skillsets, and the ability to work effectively with the diverse communities of people both within and outside of academia. Developing these skills should be viewed as an opportunity to explore new horizons. 

What does winning this award mean to you? 

I am very honoured to receive this award, which recognizes the many collaborative projects that have shaped my work. . I deeply appreciate the history of this medal; joining the ranks of past winners—many of whom were my inspirations and even my lecturers—is a distinct privilege. 
 
What do you enjoy the most about your field, or find the most rewarding? 

What I find most rewarding is the variety of the work; the opportunity to bridge rigorous laboratory analysis with the excitement of field studies spanning projects ranging from new ventures to development stages is unique. The collective enthusiasm for improving understanding or solving problems fosters a highly supportive and engaging community across both academia and industry. 

What advice would you give to those adventuring into your field? 

My main advice is to do whatever is necessary to gain early experience and pursue work that truly motivates you. It is important to understand the cyclic nature of the industry and jobs; identify the technical and soft skills you need and remain ready to adapt as practices and technologies evolve. 

What does winning this award mean to you? 

The reward is a very welcomed acknowledgement that I have contributed something worthwhile to the science. 
 
What do you find the most rewarding about your field? 

Fieldwork has been my joy and the basis of my geological knowledge. 
 
Any advice you would give to the next generation of geoscientists venturing into your field? 

Keep on with what you are really interested in, maintain that enthusiasm, and you will eventually get where you want to be. 

What does winning this award mean to you? 

Winning this medal is special for me, because it is an acknowledgement that my Physical Geographers' skills are both relevant and valuable to the geological community and that Quaternary geology/geomorphology is recognised as an important part of broader geological enquiry.  

What do you find the most rewarding about your field? 

Field investigations and solving problems using a combination of field data and mapping, and passing on my knowledge gleaned from such investigations to my students or indeed anyone who wants to listen!  

Any advice you would give to the next generation of geoscientists venturing into your field? 

Make sure you have a strong foundation in field-based research and never shy away from working on a problem simply because it interests you - exploration research and serendipity often yield more success than simply testing hypotheses. 

What does winning this award mean to you? 

I am greatly honoured to receive this recognition. However, what excites me the most is what it says about the field I am working within and its wider importance in understanding the planets' past. It also is the fruit of the many collaborators, supervisors and students I have been working with over the last 20 years and without them I couldn't have achieved what I have. 

What do you find the most rewarding about your field? 

What I enjoy the most about my field is the interdisciplinarity we need in order to explore life's past. I have worked with organic chemists, experimental petrologists, volcanologists, molecular biologists, developmental biologists, behavioural ecologists, sedimentologists, computational earth system modellers, physicists and even human geographers to name just a few. 

Also, the sheer nature of discovery is fabulous. Whether it is when pulling out a museum drawer to discover a long forgotten marvel or splitting a rock to discover a fossil in the farthest reaches of North Greenland, the desert of Morocco or some quarry in Wales or Somerset. 

Any advice you would give to the next generation of geoscientists venturing into your field? 

My advice for any young geoscientist is to be curious and sceptical about anything you read in the literature. Most things are up for revision as we discover and learn more. Also, study more broadly than your own discipline and understand what your future colleagues might be able to offer to the table when you want to explore something, and of course, collaborate with them. 

What does winning this award mean to you? 

I am grateful to the Geological Society for recognising my contributions to geosciences despite not being a Dr or professor, like most of the other recipients. I also applaud the recognition of minorities like myself in geoscience.  

What advice would you give to others championing diversity, equity and inclusion in geoscience? 

To those championing IDE [inclusion, diversity, and equity] in geoscience I say keep it up, despite the hurdles and challenges. Action and allyship speak much louder than words. Mentor, support and give generously, even if it is only a few minutes of your time or a ‘Like’ on LinkedIn. 

Image credit: Ron Daniel

What does winning this award mean to you? 

Being a Coke Medallist is a huge honor, as it recognizes both scientific impact and community service. I am humbled as I never thought my contributions would be worthy of such a premier award. I am especially surprised regarding the recognition of community service. This is likely linked to my role as Executive Editor of Journal of Petrology, were I worked hard to make this journal more accessible to ECRs. Yet, I think this is just my job as Executive Editor, as ECRs are our future and need to be supported. 

Why is serving the geoscience community important, and what would you say to others looking to do the same? 

My advice is to keep up the good work, as it is really rewarding for the individuals that benefit from this service. Science is highly competitive and therefore may be hard bear, particularly for ECRs who often face an insecure future in the current climate. Community service is important as it brings a meaningful human perspective to what might otherwise may feel like a gruelling race to survive. Service is key to make our science an enjoyable communal task. 

What does winning this award mean to you? 

Receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Geological Society of London is both a great honour and a great responsibility for me. I see it not only as a personal recognition, but also as the result of a shared commitment with colleagues, collaborators, and mentors who have contributed to the development of Geoethics. This award highlights the value of ethical reflection and service to the geoscience community. For me, doing science also means contributing to the building of a collaborative and responsible scientific community that is aware of its role in society; for this reason, this award encourages me to continue promoting dialogue, education, and practical actions that strengthen ethical awareness in our field. 

What is the importance of championing geoethics? 

Championing Geoethics is essential because geosciences have a direct impact on society, the environment, and future generations. Decisions related to natural resources, natural hazards, climate change, and land use carry significant social and environmental consequences. Geoethics helps ensure that geoscientists act with integrity, responsibility, and transparency, considering the broader implications of their work. In this way, it strengthens trust between science and society and encourages decisions that integrate scientific knowledge with social responsibility and sustainability, reinforcing the role of geosciences in serving the common good. 

Any advice for others looking to do the same? 
My advice is to always combine scientific rigour with a strong sense of responsibility. Conducting good research is essential, but so is actively participating in the scientific community, collaborating, and engaging in dialogue with society. Promoting Geoethics often requires building bridges between disciplines, involving communities, and addressing sometimes difficult conversations about responsibility and values. Being open to dialogue, listening to different perspectives, and leading by example through one’s professional conduct are fundamental. Integrating ethics into everyday scientific practice—through research, teaching, and engagement with society—can, over time, strengthen a culture of responsibility within the geoscience community and beyond. 

What does winning this award mean to you?

I feel incredibly honoured to have received this award – it means a lot and I feel like what I am doing is being recognised as something more than just talking about rocks for a living. In the last few years my goal has been to make geology more accessible, exciting and visible to everyone – whether that’s through social media, speaking events, geology tours or workshops. To have that work recognised by the Geological Society is really special. Scotland is often described as the birthplace of modern geology – and to be able to tell those stories to millions of people online and in the field is a privilege. This award feels like encouragement to keep going and keep bringing geology to new audiences across the globe. 

Why is outreach important, and what would you say to others looking to do the same? 

My biggest advice would be to be yourself and don’t underestimate how powerful your enthusiasm can be. People connect with how passionate you are first, and then knowledge second. Science communication is incredibly important because it helps people understand the world around them. Geology is everywhere – in our landscapes, it’s our resources, our climate and even in our technologies we rely on every single day – but a lot of the time these stories remain hidden in the academic papers or technical reports. By sharing geology in an accessible and engaging way, we can inspire curiosity, encourage future geologists, and help people appreciate the planet they live on. You don’t have to be perfect at doing it… just start sharing what fascinates you in your own unique way.

Image credit: Luisa Hendry/Scottish Geologist

What does winning this award mean to you? 

As an ECR, receiving the Wollaston Fund has reinforced the value of my work and contributions to science by recognising my achievements to date. It’s an honour to have my work acknowledged, not only for me, but also for the many amazing supervisors, colleagues and collaborators I have worked with. Choosing to leave industry and pursue a career in academia was both exciting and slightly terrifying. This award has validated that decision, and I hope it inspires others to pursue their ambitions and the careers they are passionate about! 

What advice would you give to others in the early stages of their career?

The advice I would offer to other ECRs is to build a strong network of people who both support and challenge you. Embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Most importantly, remain curious, continue learning, and enjoy the journey! 

What does winning this award mean to you? 

Winning this award early on in my career is a huge honour and a big source of motivation to keep working hard in a subject that I love. Science can feel very independent at times so to know people are recognising and enjoying my work is a huge source of encouragement. 

What advice would you give to others in the early stages of their career? 

Working as a team gets the best results and opens the doors to lots of different opportunities. I would not have won this award were it not for the team of people I have worked alongside across the last 4 years. 

What does winning this award mean to you? 

To win any award as a scientist is an immense honour, let alone an ECR. Not only because you have been selected by the awarding organization , but also because you have been nominated by your colleagues. To think that my work has had a impact like that really is something special. I still feel like I am only just getting started in my career with have so much more to learn, see and experience, this award gives me some faith that I am moving in the right direction. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it gives me opportunity to acknowledge all of the people who have selflessly given me so much of their time and insight, at different stages. I really have been so lucky to connect with so many incredible scientists, I owe this award almost entirely to them. 

What advice would you give to others in the early stages of their career? 

Any advice I give here is very much as a reminder to myself too, as I really don't feel like I have figured this "academia" thing out yet! But if I had to choose two main pieces of advice, the first would be to surround yourself with people who support you, but also people who challenge you. These are the people who will teach you (either directly or indirectly) how to think critically, and stop you from becoming too close-minded in your ideas, and beliefs. I think back to some of the most difficult moments of my career so far, and while at the time these situations felt almost un-solvable, they ultimately were, and I came out the other side a better scientist (and person) as a result.  

My second piece of advice is to never underestimate the power of outreach, and follow-up. Whether it is sending a quick email to let someone know how much you enjoyed their talk/poster at a conference, check-in with a colleague going through a stressful time, or say congratulations following a paper publication, gestures like this go a really long way. There is always time to big-up your colleagues, and you never know, you might turn their entire day around.

What does winning this award mean to you? 

Winning a President’s Award as a volcanologist is something I’m deeply honoured by. Our field relies so much on collaboration, persistence, and a shared fascination with how volcanoes shape the Earth. Being recognised by the Geological Society of London connects my work to a long tradition of scientists who have advanced our understanding of these powerful systems. This award reflects not just my own efforts, but the guidance of mentors, the support of colleagues, and the collective work that goes into every dataset, field campaign, and model. It’s a reminder of why I chose volcanology in the first place and a motivation to keep contributing to the science and community with integrity, curiosity, and enthusiasm. 

What advice would you give to others in the early stages of their career?

Research is a marathon, and the early years are about building a foundation that will carry you the distance. Cultivate curiosity, openness, and a willingness to explore ideas beyond your own discipline—cross‑training makes you a more creative and resilient researcher. Balance hard work with a healthy life outside work, because sustainability matters as much as productivity. Surround yourself with people who love science, collaborate generously, and can find joy even on the hard days; the right community makes all the difference. Share your enthusiasm for your subject, stay open to unexpected opportunities, and trust that with persistence—and a little luck—you’ll go far.