Society medals and awards

Our prestigious medals and awards recognise excellence in geographical research, fieldwork, teaching and public engagement. They are presented annually in recognition of those who have made outstanding contributions to geography.

The presentation of the 2020 awards will take in conjunction with the 2021 awards presentation in the summer of 2021, on a date to be confirmed, at the Society in Kensington, London.

 

Royal Medals

Her Majesty the Queen has approved the award of the Royal Medals as follows:

 

Royal Medal - Founder’s Medal

• Professor Heather Viles For her excellence in establishing the field of biogeomorphology

Royal Medal - Patron’s Medal

• Michael Jones For his contribution to the development of geospatial information

 

Council awards

The Society’s Council has made the following awards:
 

Victoria Medal

• Professor Jonathan Rigg For long-term and influential research in development geography focusing on South East Asia

Busk Medal

• Professor Nina Laurie For her contribution to social inclusion, international development and environmental sustainability through fieldwork and research

Cherry Kearton Medal and Award

• Steve McCurry For photography that encourages reflection on the interaction with peoples, landscapes and wildlife across the world

Murchison Award

• Professor Peter Kraftl For research that has significantly contributed to social and cultural geographies

Back Award

• Professor Andy Tatem For leading the development of geospatial and demographic data to assist the work of public policy around the globe 

Cuthbert Peek Award

• Chris Hill For providing longstanding geospatial expertise to the professional and student communities to understand human impact on the environment

Gill Memorial Award (two awards)

• Dr Kimberley Peters For outstanding early career research in human geography

• Dr Helena Pimlott-Wilson For outstanding early career research in human geography

Ordnance Survey Awards (two awards)

• Emma Metcalfe For excellence in geography education at secondary level

• Charity Mhlanga For excellence in geography education at secondary level

Taylor and Francis Award

• Dr James Esson For sustained contributions to teaching and learning in higher education, particularly through the RACE Working Group

Ness Award

• Nancy Campbell For the popularisation of geography through poetry and non-fiction writing

Alfred Steers Dissertation Prize

• Rupert Stuart Smith For the undergraduate geography dissertation judged to be the best in 2019

Area Prize

• Dr Menusha De Silva For the best article in the journal by a new researcher (co-authored with Dr Kanchan Gandhi)

Ron Cooke Award 

• Tenaya Dewsnap-Cooper For her A Level Independent Investigation ‘How does deprivation and public perception vary between Hyde and Gee Cross, Greater Manchester’

Geographical Award

• Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre For facilitating fieldwork and encouraging scientific engagement within the community

Honorary Fellowship in recognition of outstanding support for the Society and geography

• Andy Eavis

• Professor Bojie Fu

• Clare Hadley

• Michael Hand