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 the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery.
Council awards
The Society’s Council has made the following awards:
Victoria Medal
Professor Rachel Pain – for conspicuous merit in research in geography.
Busk Medal
Professor Danielle Schreve – for conservation research or for fieldwork abroad in geography or in a geographical aspect of an allied science.
Cherry Kearton Medal and Award
Ackroyd & Harvey – for a traveller concerned with the study or practice of natural history, with a preference for those with an interest in nature photography, art or cinematography.
Murchison Award
Professor Anoop Nayak – for publications judged to contribute most to geographical science in preceding recent years.
Back Award
Professor Stefan Bouzarovski – for applied or scientific geographical studies which make an outstanding contribution to the development of national or international public policy.
Cuthbert Peek Award
Professor Larissa Naylor – for advancing geographical knowledge of human impact on the environment through the application of contemporary methods, including those of earth observation and mapping.
Gill Memorial Award (human)
Dr Filip Biljecki – for the encouragement of geographical research in early career researchers who have shown great potential.
Gill Memorial Award (physical)
Dr Zoë Thomas – for the encouragement of geographical research in 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 – to recognise excellence in public engagement in relation to geographical issues and/or geography through the media, design or other means.
Ness Award
Steve Backshall MBE – for travellers, particularly those who have successfully popularised geography and the wider understanding of our world and its environments.
Geographical Award
Felicity Aston MBE – for a company or individual that had provided outstanding (non-commercial) support for individuals or groups learning through scientific expeditions; or for an expedition(s) that has had a significant impact in inspiring and raising the understanding of geographical issues among schools or the public.
Fordham Award
Marcy Bidney – for distinguished contributions to the field of cartobibliography.
Ordnance Survey Award
Ryan Nock – in recognition of excellence in geography education at the secondary level.
Ordnance Survey Award
Sandra Patterson – in recognition of 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
- Honor Wilson-Fletcher MBE
- Professor David Richards
- Professor Giles Foody
- Professor Martin Evans
- Rupert Grey
For service to the cause of geography or to the work of the Society.
- Reception
Medals and awards celebration 2026
Join us as we celebrate the 2026 award recipients of our prestigious medals and awards.
London and onlineOpen to allMonday 8 June 2026