2026 medals and awards
This year, the Society’s medals and awards recognise 27 outstanding people for their notable contributions to geography.
Read the full list of our 2026 medals and awards recipients.
Royal Medals
His Majesty the King has approved the award of the Royal Medals as follows:
Royal Medal - Founder’s Medal
Dr Enric Sala – for the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery.
Royal Medal - Patron’s Medal
Professor Loretta Lees – for contributions to geographical science.
Council awards
The Society’s Council has made the following awards:
Victoria Medal
Professor Rachel Pain – for conspicuous merit in feminist social and urban geographies and in participatory research.
Busk Medal
Professor Danielle Schreve – for fieldwork and research in geography.
Cherry Kearton Medal and Award
Ackroyd & Harvey – for the advancement of natural history through photography and art.
Murchison Award
Professor Anoop Nayak – for publications that have contributed significantly to geographical science.
Back Award
Professor Stefan Bouzarovski – for applied geographical studies which make an outstanding contribution to policy.
Cuthbert Peek Award
Professor Larissa Naylor – for advancing geographical knowledge of human impact on the environment through the application of contemporary methods.
Gill Memorial Award (human)
Dr Filip Biljecki – for early career researchers who have shown great potential.
Gill Memorial Award (physical)
Dr Zoë Thomas – for early career researchers who have shown great potential.
Professional Geography Award
Ian Spencer – for recognition of excellence in the use of geography in professional practice.
Geographical Engagement Award
Dr Jonathan Westaway – for research-led public engagement on Mount Everest and the history of mountaineering.
Ness Award
Steve Backshall MBE – for the popularisation of geography and the wider understanding of our world.
Geographical Award
Felicity Aston MBE – for inspiration and support of learning through scientific expeditions.
Fordham Award
Marcy Bidney – for distinguished contributions to the field of cartobibliography.
Ordnance Survey Award
Ryan Nock – for excellence in geography education at the secondary level.
Ordnance Survey Award
Sandra Patterson – for excellence in geography education at the secondary level.
Taylor & Francis Award
Dr Amber Murrey – for excellence in the promotion and practice of teaching and learning in Higher Education.
Alfred Steers Dissertation Prize
William Fricker, University of Nottingham – for the undergraduate geography dissertation judged to be the best in 2025: 'Investigating Narratives on the Dover-Calais Migrant Crisis from Positions of Authority and Power'.
Area Prize
Madelaine Joyce, Royal Holloway, University of London – for the best article in the journal in 2025 by an early-career researcher: 'Sensing the sky’s edge: Atmospheric insights into the Korean demilitarised zone'.
Ron Cooke Award
August Deeming, Winchester College – for the best A Level investigation (NEA) titled: 'To what extent can a clast fabric analysis of exposed till in Herefordshire describe the flow of ice and water during the Anglian glaciation?'
Honorary Fellowship
- Professor Martin Evans – for service to geography
- Professor Giles Foody – for service to geography
- Rupert Grey – for service to geography and the Society
- Professor David Richards – for service to geography
- Honor Wilson-Fletcher MBE – for service to geography and exploration