Bob Geldof KBE and Professor Michael Storper have been awarded Royal Medals by the Society as part of a series of awards honouring top geographers. The Society’s prestigious medals and awards recognise extraordinary achievement in geographical research and the promotion of geography, science and discovery.
The Royal Medals, which are of equal standing, have been approved by Her Majesty the Queen and are among the highest honours of their kind in the world. They have been presented since the 1830s and past recipients include David Livingstone, Professor Diana Liverman and Sir David Attenborough.
Michael Storper, Professor of Economic Geography at the London School of Economics and Political Science, receives this year’s Founder’s Medal for scholarship and leadership in human and economic geography. His research work focuses on contemporary forces of globalisation, technological development, and industrial change.
Bob Geldof KBE receives this year’s Patron’s Medal for raising global public awareness and challenging the causes of inequality in Africa.
This year, the Society’s medals and awards recognise 21 different individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions to geography. Among other recipients, Dr Wendy Darke, Head of the BBC Natural History Unit, is awarded the Cherry Kearton Medal and Award for cinematography of the natural world.
The 2016 recipients will be presented with their medals and awards at a ceremony held at the Society on 6 June. 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: Professor Michael Storper
For scholarship and leadership in human and economic geography
Royal Medal - Patron’s Medal: Bob Geldof KBE
For raising global public awareness and challenging the causes of inequality in Africa
THE SOCIETY’S COUNCIL has made the following awards:
Victoria Medal: Professor Ronald Martin ScD FBA FAcSS
For research excellence in regional economic development
Busk Medal: Professor Jo Sharp
For innovative field research and empowering others through fieldwork
Cherry Kearton Medal and Award: Dr Wendy Darke
For cinematography of the natural world
Murchison Award: Professor Parvati Raghuram
For publications contributing to the geographical understandings of mobility
Back Award: Professor Colin R. Thorne
For contributions to the scientific study of rivers and the shaping of national and international policy on rivers and flood risk management
Cuthbert Peek Award: Professor Dom Kniveton
For pioneering work on the impacts of climate change and environmental instability on human migration
Gill Memorial Awards (two awards)
Dr Harriet Hawkins
For outstanding early career research in creative geographies
Dr Joanna M. Nield
For outstanding early career research in aeolian processes and arid landform development
Ordnance Survey Awards (two awards)
Miss Joanna Debens
Kate Otto
For excellence in geography education at the secondary level
Taylor & Francis Award: Dr Margaret H. Byron
For excellence in the promotion and practice of diversity in the teaching of human geography
Fordham Award: Marjo T. Nurminen and Juha Nurminen
For collaborative research and writing on the cultural history of mapping
Ness Award: Andrea Wulf
For popularising the histories of geography and of scientific botanical exploration
Alfred Steers Dissertation Prize: Rachel Meunier
For the undergraduate geography dissertation judged to be the best in 2015
Area Prize: Dr Sam Halvorsen
For the best article in the journal by a new researcher
Geographical Award: Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team
For outstanding collaborative work to foster student and wider public engagement with the ‘Jurassic’ coastline
Honorary Fellowship (two awards)
Mrs Hokey Bennett-Jones
In recognition of outstanding commitment and contribution to the Society
Neville Shulman CBE
In recognition of outstanding commitment and contribution to scientific exploration and the Society