Professor Sir Gordon Conway and Lindsey Hilsum 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, fieldwork and teaching, photography, and public engagement.
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 Sir David Attenborough, Professor Diana Liverman and Lord Stern.
Professor Sir Gordon Conway KCMG FRS, a former President of the Society, is awarded this year’s Founder’s Medal for the enhancement and promotion of agricultural development in Asia and Africa.
Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor for Channel 4 News, receives this year’s Patron’s Medal for promoting the understanding of global conflict and inequality.
This year, the Society’s medals and awards recognise 17 different people for their outstanding contributions to geography. Among other recipients, Harry Hook is awarded the Cherry Kearton Medal and Award for original documentation of Africa through photography.
The 2017 recipients will be presented with their medals and awards at a ceremony held at the Society on Monday 5 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
Sir Gordon Conway KCMG FRS
For the enhancement and promotion of agricultural development in Asia and Africa
Royal Medal - Patron’s Medal
Lindsey Hilsum
For promoting the understanding of global conflict and inequality
THE SOCIETY’S COUNCIL has made the following awards:
Victoria Medal
Professor Andrew Cliff FBA, DSc
For research excellence in spatial epidemiology
Busk Medal
David J A Evans
For excellence and originality in the study of glacial landscapes and processes and empowering the next generation
Cherry Kearton Medal and Award
Harry Hook
For original documentation of Africa through photography
Murchison Award
Professor Henry Wai-chung Yeung
For pioneering publications in the field of globalisation
Back Award
Professor Harriet Bulkeley
For contributions to the shaping of international policy on climate change
Cuthbert Peek Award
Dr James Allen Cheshire FRGS
For advancing geographical knowledge through the use of mappable Big Data
Gill Memorial Awards
Dr Sarah Mills
For outstanding early career research in cultural geography
Ordnance Survey Awards
(two awards)
Claire Power
Mr Paul Turner
For excellence in geography education at the secondary level
Taylor & Francis Award
Ian Cook et al
For excellence in the promotion and practice of teaching and learning of geography in higher education
Ness Award
Kathleen Jamie
For outstanding creative writing at the confluence of travel, nature, and culture
Alfred Steers Dissertation Prize
Alex George Alan Henry
For the undergraduate geography dissertation judged to be the best in 2016
Area Prize
Brendon Blue
For the best article in the journal by a new researcher
Geographical Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
For inspiring generations of young people through challenging expeditions
Honorary Fellowship
David Riviere
In recognition of extraordinary commitment and service to the Society