2018 medal and award recipients announced

This year, our medals and awards recognise 21 different people for their extraordinary achievement in geographical research, fieldwork and teaching, photography, and public engagement.

Paul Rose and Professor Yadvinder Malhi have been awarded the Society’s two Royal Medals. The Royal Medals are approved by Her Majesty the Queen, and are among the highest honours of their kind in the world. Previous recipients include Sir David Attenborough, Professor Diana Liverman and Lindsey Hilsum.

Paul Rose receives the 2018 Founder’s Medal for scientific expeditions and enhancing public understanding. President of the Society Nicholas Crane said, “Paul Rose has been leading expeditions for over thirty years, collaborating with the world’s top field scientists to unlock the secrets of remote and challenging parts of the globe. He exemplifies the power of scientific expeditions to transform lives and is an inspiration.”

Encouraged by his geography teacher for his enthusiasm for travel, Paul Rose said: “Receiving the Royal Medal feels fantastic as I always look at the names of past recipients when I enter the Society and I feel truly honoured to be in their company.”

The 2018 Patron’s Medal is awarded to Professor Yadvinder Malhi for his world leading studies on the impact of climate change on tropical ecosystems. Not only a world leading researcher, Professor Yadvinder Malhi is also an inspiring teacher and public speaker. As pointed out by Nicholas Crane: “Yalvinder has been the catalyst for many others to become involved in rainforest research.”

Professor Yadvinder Malhi said: “I am delighted and humbled to be awarded the Patrons’ Medal, not only for myself but also in recognition of the many colleagues and students across the world, and especially in the tropics, with whom I have worked."

Among other recipients, sculptor, photographer and filmmaker Andy Goldsworthy received the Cherry Kearton Medal and Award for his sculptural works that inspire reflection on changing environments.

The awards will be presented on Monday 4 June as part of the Society’s Annual General Meeting in London and the full list of recipients is below.

 

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

Royal Medal - Founder’s Medal

• Paul Rose For scientific expeditions and enhancing public understanding

Royal Medal - Patron’s Medal

• Professor Yadvinder Malhi For world leading studies of the impact of climate change on tropical ecosystems

 

The Society’s Council has made the following awards:

Victoria Medal

• Professor Wendy Larner For internationally leading research on globalisation and political economy

Busk Medal

• Professor Bhaskar Vira For interdisciplinary research on economy, environment and development

Cherry Kearton Medal and Award

• Andy Goldsworthy For sculptural works that inspire reflection on changing environments

Murchison Award

• Professor Mark Macklin For pioneering research in fluvial geomorphology and its environmental applications

Back Award

• Professor Hester Parr For contributions at the interface of geographical research and policy

Cuthbert Peek Award

• Professor Keith Lilley For advancing geographical knowledge through the application of contemporary methods, including GIS and mapping

Gill Memorial Awards (two awards)

• Dr Hilary Geoghegan For outstanding early career research in cultural geography

• Dr Nick Malleson For outstanding early career research in agent-based social geography [geocomputation]

Ordnance Survey Awards (two awards)

• Dr Aidan Hesslewood For excellence in geography education at the secondary level

• Laura-Jayne Ward For excellence in geography education at the secondary level

Taylor and Francis Award

• Professor Helen Walkington For sustained contributions to teaching and learning in higher education

Ness Award

• Rory Stewart MP For the popularisation of geography through the media

Alfred Steers Dissertation Prize

• Natasha Wallum For the undergraduate geography dissertation judged to be the best in 2017

Area Prize

• Junxi Qian For the best article in the journal by a new researcher

Geographical Award

• Dwayne Fields For inspiring young people to explore the world around them

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

• Peter Davies

• Andrew Linnell

• Paul Slawson

• Mary Slawson