This year’s medals and awards were presented last night in recognition of extraordinary achievement in geographical research, fieldwork, photography, teaching, and in enthusing public audiences. The medals and awards celebration followed the Society’s Annual General Meeting.
Professor Michael Storper and Bob Geldof KBE were presented with the Society’s two Royal Medals, which are of equal standing and have been approved by Her Majesty the Queen.
The Royal Medals have been presented since the 1830s and are among the highest honours of their kind in the world. Past Royal Medal recipients include David Livingstone, Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Professor Diana Liverman and Sir David Attenborough.
Michael Storper, Professor of Economic Geography at the London School of Economics and Political Science, received the Founder’s Medal for scholarship and leadership in human and economic geography.
Bob Geldof received 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 recognised twenty-one different individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions to geography. Among other recipients, Dr Wendy Darke, Head of the BBC Natural History Unit, was awarded the Cherry Kearton Medal and Award for cinematography of the natural world.
Seven new members of Council were announced at the Society’s AGM. The annual reception followed the medals and awards ceremony, with guests invited to view the Britain from the Air exhibition in the Society’s Pavilion and garden.