17 June 2026 12:30 - 19:00 Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BG and online
17 June 2026 | 12:30 - 19:00 | Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BG and online
President’s Day is a key event in the Society’s calendar with the formal presentation ceremony of the 2026 Medals, Awards and Funds to this years’ prestigious winners in recognition of significant achievements and service to the geoscience community.
The ceremony is followed with talks by four senior medallists, eminent in their field of geoscience: Prof Margaret Collinson, Prof Peter Cawood, Dr Chris Morley and Emeritus Prof Rory Mortimore.
The 2026 Awards Ceremony and Senior Medallist Talks are free to attend, both in-person or online. Select the Book Now button above to reserve your place.
Please note: Photography and filming will take place during this event. By attending, you consent to your image being used for in print or online for marketing and archival purposes. If you do not wished to be photographed, please advise photographer and event staff on arrival.
This is a hybrid event with in-person and online attendance via Zoom.
12:30 President’s Lunch*
14:00 President’s formal presentation of Medals, Awards and Funds
15:15 Senior Medallists Talks – see Order of Lectures below
16:20 Tea and Coffee*
16:30 Senior Medallist Talks
17:30 Drinks Reception*
*For in person attendees only
Order of lectures by Senior Medallists
Lyell Medal - Prof Margaret Collinson, Royal Hollway, University of London
Murchison Medal – Prof Peter Cawood, Monash College
William Smith Medal – Dr Chris Morley
Wollaston Medal – Prof Rory Mortimore, University of Brighton / ChalkRock Ltd
Prof Margaret Collinson – Lyell Medal 2026
Prof Margaret Collinson is an exceptional palaeobotanist and palynologist with her interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborative approach resulting in milestone contributions to our understanding of Paleogene vegetation, climate change and animal-plant interactions.
Prof Peter Cawood – Murchison Medal 2026
Prof Cawood is internationally recognised for his expertise in structural geology, tectonic processes and geochronology and his application of geochemical techniques alongside field geology have contributed to new tectonic models that have changed our understanding of Earth evolution, the nature of the geological record, and provided new insight into defining the early supercontinents.
Dr Chris Morley – William Smith Medal 2026
Dr Chris Morley is a structural geologist, seismic interpreter and exploration geologist. His work has applied geological and geophysical information from industrial and collaborative academic sources to support key advances in understanding structural geology, sedimentary basin development, basin modelling and regional tectonic development.
Emeritus Prof Rory Mortimore – Wollaston Medal 2026
Prof Rory Mortimore, Emeritus Professor at the University of Brighton, is renowned for his expertise on the Cretaceous and is held in highest regard by geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists and contractors across the UK. His work is exemplified by an extensive publication list in the fields of civil engineering and sedimentology with unparalleled contributions to the written record of the Chalk.
Image credit: Danny Long
The Awards Ceremony and Senior Medallist talks are free to attend in-person and online but registration is required.
Please note: For in-person attendees, there is a nominal charge as detailed below if you wish to attend the President’s Lunch and/or Drinks Reception.
To book your place, please click the Book Now button above. You will then be asked to select in-person or online attendance.
President's Day Lunch £25
President’s Drinks Reception £15
President's Day Lunch and Drinks Reception £40
Student Member President's Day Lunch £15
Student Member President's Drinks Reception £15
Student Member President's Day Lunch & Drinks Reception £30
Please email secretary@geolsoc.org.uk if you have any questions.