Criteria for the award of the Medal

This is the highest award of the QRA and is named in honour of James Croll (1821-1890). Croll is most closely associated with fundamental work on the astronomical theory of the ice ages, but he also made seminal contributions on the glacial geology of Scotland, on the mechanisms that drive ocean circulation and the impact of that circulation on recent climate, on tidal theory and the rotation of the Earth. These are all major issues that occupy Quaternary scientists to this day. Croll was effectively self-taught. His work and example demonstrate that any individuals from all backgrounds can rise to national eminence and generate science of lasting and major international impact, that it is not who you are or where you come from but what you do that is important. These are the qualities that the QRA seeks to celebrate in the award of the James Croll Medal.

The Medal is therefore normally awarded to a member of the QRA who has not only made an outstanding contribution to the field of Quaternary science, but whose work has also had a significant international impact.

Nominations

The candidate should be nominated and seconded by any QRA members 'of standing' who are familiar with the candidate's work.

Presentation of the award

The award will be presented at the January AGM. The successful candidate will be invited to receive their award in person from the President. Travel costs and one night's accommodation will be made available from QRA awards funds (if required).

Application procedure

Completed nomination forms should be forwarded as hard copies or electronically to the Awards Officer by the 15th September deadline.

Previous winners

2016 Professor Ian Shennan (University of Durham)
2015 Professor Alayne Street-Perrot (University of Swansea)
2014 Professor Philip Gibbard (University of Cambridge)
2013 Professor John Lowe (Royal Holloway, University of London)

Criteria for the award of the medal

The Medal will be awarded to a young (normally less than 35 years old) or new research worker, who has been a member of the QRA for at least 3 years, and who has made a significant contribution to the Quaternary stratigraphy of the British Isles and its maritime environment. This is notionally taken to mean Britain, Ireland and surrounding offshore areas but adjacent areas of continental Europe that have relevance to the British Isles may also be taken into account. Quaternary stratigraphy is considered here to include both Pleistocene and Holocene records and to be broadly-based, encompassing lithostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, biostratigraphy or other relevant fields.

Nominations

The candidate should be nominated by his or her Head of Department, PhD or postdoctoral supervisor or any other QRA member 'of standing' who is familiar with the candidate's work.

Presentation of the award

The award will be presented at the January AGM. The successful candidate will be invited to receive their award in person from the President. Travel costs and one night's accommodation (if required) will be made available from QRA awards funds. The recipient will be expected to submit a short summary of his or her research for publication in Quaternary Newsletter.

Previous Winners

The Quaternary Research Association, in association with the RGS-IBG, would like to recognise the achievements of undergraduates in Quaternary science by awarding a dissertation prize (£250) for a thesis demonstrating flair and originality. This prize is open to any undergraduate enrolled at a British or Irish university. Membership of the QRA or RGS-IBG is not a requirement for entry.

Entries are limited to one per department per current academic year and may be on any Quaternary theme. Entries must be submitted electronically by department and not by individual undergraduates. The QRA welcomes nominations from all appropriate sources, including new universities or small departments. The winner will be announced at the QRA Annual General Meeting (held annually each January) and the abstract of their dissertation published in an issue of Quaternary Newsletter.

An electronic copy of eligible dissertations including the contact details of the department and undergraduate author (marked for the QRA prize) should be emailed to Dr Catherine Souch at the Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) at rhed@rgs.org. 

The submitted dissertation should not be sent with the internal mark or comments. Prior to submission, please check for completeness and clarity of any maps and illustrations (for example, that those requiring colour are printed in colour). For further details, please contact Catherine Souch: 020 7591 3022, e-mail: rhed@rgs.org or www.rgs.org.