Medal and award recipients receive their accolades

The 2018 medal and award recipients were presented with their accolades yesterday in a ceremony that took place in the Ondaatje Lecture Theatre at Lowther Lodge. The medals and awards recognise individuals for their outstanding contributions to geography and are awarded annually by the Society.

Sixteen of the 21 recipients were able to attend in person, for what was an uplifting and joyous occasion, with many family members, close friends and Society staff sharing in the celebrations. The medals and awards were presented by Nicholas Crane in his last act as President before handing over the role to Baroness Lynda Chalker.

Paul Rose and Professor Yadvinder Malhi were awarded the Society’s two Royal Medals. The Royal Medals are part of the wide range of awards that recognise extraordinary achievement in geographical research, fieldwork and teaching, photography, and public engagement. 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.

The full list of  medals and awards recipients for 2018 is:

 

Founder’s Medal                            

• Paul Rose

For scientific expeditions and enhancing public understanding

 

Patron’s Medal                                

• Professor Yadvinder Malhi

For world leading studies on the impact of climate change on tropical ecosystems

 

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 of human impact on the environment through the application of contemporary methods

 

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

• 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

• Peter Davies

• Andrew Linnell

• Paul Slawson

• Mary Slawson

In recognition of outstanding support for the Society and Geography