A key SCAR initiative is to recognise excellence in Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, as well as exceptional service to the international Antarctic community. These contributions are vital for advancing SCAR’s vision and mission. Reflecting this, SCAR is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 SCAR Medals.
2024 SCAR Medal Recipients Announced
The 2024 SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research is awarded to Prof Lloyd Peck FRS of British Antarctic Survey, UK.
Professor Lloyd Peck FRS has an exceptional breadth of Antarctic-based scientific output – Nature papers on polar gigantism and atomic bomb signals in Antarctic brachiopods; the first evaluation of the effects of catastrophic iceberg scour in Antarctica; the sensitivity of Antarctic marine species to warming and many insightful reviews into Antarctic marine biodiversity.
Professor Peck has supervised 50+ PhD students, was chosen as the Royal Institution Christmas lecturer (2004), was awarded the Polar Medal for outstanding achievements in polar research (2009) and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (2024).
Within SCAR Professor Peck has provided input for the BIOMASS, EVOLANTA and EBA Groups and was on the main writing group of the SCAR Horizon Scan (2014).
The 2024 SCAR Medal for International Scientific Coordination is awarded to Dr Aleks Terauds of the the Australian Antarctic Division, Australia.
Dr Aleks Terauds has provided an exemplary personal contribution to advancing SCAR’s objectives regarding international research activities. As the Chief Officer of the Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System (SCATS) from 2014-2019, his service to the SCAR community produced substantial outcomes for Antarctic biodiversity and the environment, following his role as Chief Officer of Ant-Eco and informing his role as Chief Officer of Ant-ICON.
Dr Terauds has coordinated multiple international workshops and was recognised for his extraordinary mentorship with the 2018 APECS International Mentorship Award. His ability to bridge the divides between science, management and international policy is commendable and brings about meaningful results at local and international scales.
The 2024 SCAR Medal for Education and Communication is awarded to Prof Jan Strugnell of James Cook University, Australia.
Professor Jan Strugnell initiated and coordinated the highly successful Women in Antarctic Research Wikibomb, leading a team of more than 100 international volunteers to contribute over 100 new detailed biographies of Antarctic women researchers to the Wikipedia. A successful “Wikibomb event” was held during the SCAR Open Science Conference in Kuala Lumpur in August 2016.
Overall, the Women in Antarctic Research Wikibomb has transformed the perception of the significance of women in Antarctic research. It has opened the way to better Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
This incredible step forward for equity has been the result of the innovation, creativity, collegiality and sheer determination shown by Professor Strugnell.
The Medal citations will introduce each of the recipients at the SCAR Medals Award Ceremony as part of the Closing Ceremony of the SCAR 2024 Open Science Conference, to be held at on Friday, 23rd August 2024 at 16:30CLT.
Details of the awards, including full citations for the recipients, will be available on the Medal Awardees page.
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