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Every year our medals and awards recognise geographers who have made a significant contribution to geographical research, fieldwork, teaching, policymaking, and public engagement.
Our medals and awards have a long and distinguished history. The first award, given just a year after the Society’s inception, was a gift of 50 guineas that was awarded with royal approval 'for the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery’. Five years later, this monetary award was presented as a royal medal. By 1839, the single royal medal had been split into the Founder’s Medal and the Patron’s Medal, both of equal standing. These medals are among the highest honours of their kind in the world and are still approved by HRH the Queen. Previous royal medallists include Sir David Attenborough, Dr Sylvia Earle and Professor Lord Nicholas Stern.
Other recipients of our medals include eminent scientists, teachers, early career researchers and those involved in policymaking. Recent recipients have included caver and speleologist Andy Eavis, development geographer Professor Jonathan Rigg, human geographer Dr Pat Noxolo, author and travel writer Isabella Tree, and former Director of the Society, Dr Rita Gardner.
Any Fellow or member can make a nomination and the deadline is 5.00pm on Monday 21 February 2022. So what are you waiting for? Let us know who you think has made a difference in the geographical community and make a nomination.
Find out more and how to make a nomination