Medal and award recipients announced

^{Dame Fiona Reynolds © David Levinson}

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

Professor Trevor Barnes and Dame Fiona Reynolds 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.

Professor Trevor Barnes receives the 2019 Founder’s Medal for pioneering developments in the field of economic geography. Baroness Lynda Chalker, President of the Society, said: “Professor Barnes has been a pioneering figure in geography since the 1980s and instrumental in many critical developments in human geography. His books, articles and edited volumes, have forged a new style of economic geography, transformed the understanding of geography’s history in the twentieth century, and have led to changes in its methodology and philosophy.  Professor Barnes is not only an outstanding geographer, he is also someone who nurtures the discipline. Trevor is a most worthy recipient of the Society’s highest recognition.”

Professor Barnes said: “I am thrilled, slightly flabbergasted and rather humbled by the award especially given the stature of past recipients going back almost two centuries."

The 2019 Patron’s Medal has been awarded to Dame Fiona Reynolds for her contribution to environmental protection, conservation and the preservation of the British landscape. Baroness Chalker said: “One of the most prominent geographers in public life, Dame Fiona has fundamentally shifted the debate on conservation and the environment into new territory for many people in the UK. She has sought to facilitate the widest possible public access to culturally important landscapes while recognising the rights of those who live and work in these locations. As a world-renowned champion of progressive environmental protection and conversation, and a passionate geographer, Dame Fiona wholeheartedly deserves the Society’s highest recognition.”

Dame Fiona said: “I’ve always been a geographer at heart, so nothing could have delighted me more than receiving this award.  I’m both thrilled and honoured: thank you.” 

Thank you to all Fellows and members who nominated individuals for our awards this year.

The awards will be presented on Monday 3 June as part of the Society’s Annual General Meeting in London. 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 Trevor Barnes For sustained excellence and pioneering developments in the field of economic geography

Royal Medal – Patron’s Medal

• Dame Fiona Reynolds For her contribution to environmental protection, conservation and the preservation of the British landscape

 

The Society’s Council has made the following awards:

Victoria Medal

• Professor David Thomas For world leading research into dryland environments and societies

Busk Medal

• Dr Ayona Datta For contribution to the understanding of smart cities through fieldwork

Cherry Kearton Medal and Award

• Tacita Dean For artwork that encourages reflection on changing landscapes

Murchison Award

• Professor Mark Birkin For pioneering work on the development and application of urban analytics

Back Award

• Professor Frank Tanser For research that has shaped national health policies in developing countries

Cuthbert Peek Award

• Paul Knight – Missing Maps For advancing geographical knowledge through mapping in remote areas, with the application of contemporary methods

Gill Memorial Award

• Dr Gemma Catney For outstanding early career research in human geography

Ordnance Survey Awards (two awards)

• Jennifer Monk For excellence in geography education at secondary level

• Rob Chambers For excellence in geography education at secondary level

Taylor and Francis Award

• Dr Jennifer Hill For sustained contributions to teaching and learning in higher education

Ness Award

• Dervla Murphy For the popularisation of geography through travel literature

Alfred Steers Dissertation Prize

• Fumika Azuma For the undergraduate geography dissertation judged to be the best in 2018

Area Prize

• Dr Simon Dixon For the best article in the journal by a new researcher

Fordham Award

• Rebecca Solnit For distinguished contributions to the field of cartobibliography

Geographical Award

• Mark Evans – Outward Bound Oman For encouraging young people from all walks of life to explore the Middle East

Ron Cooke Award

• Gregory Pearson For his A Level Independent Investigation 'An investigation into the form and nature of scree slopes on the North side of the Ogwen Valley'

Geography in Government Award

• The Geography Spatial Analysts Team at the Office for National Statistics For work undertaken for the United Nations World Data Forum on Sustainable Development Goals

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

• Alexander Maitland

• Sir David Hempleman-Adams

• Carol Beckwith

• Angela Fisher