2024

SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research

Prof Lloyd Peck FRS

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).

Read Lloyd’s full citation.

SCAR Medal for International Scientific Coordination

Dr Aleks Terauds

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.

Read Aleks’ full citation.

SCAR Medal for Education and Communication

Prof Jan Strugnell

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. This incredible step forward for equity has been the result of the innovation, creativity, collegiality and sheer determination shown by Professor Strugnell.

Read Jan’s full citation.

SCAR President’s Medal for Outstanding Achievement (awarded by Dr YD Kim)

Prof Craig Cary’s career spanned more than four decades, in which he made significant strides in the study of microbial life in extreme environments, engaging in deep-sea expeditions to hydrothermal vents and conducting 18 seasons in Antarctica. His work has fundamentally expanded our understanding of microbial diversity and the ecological processes in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth.

Read Craig’s full citation.

2022

SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research

Prof Pippa Whitehouse

Prof Whitehouse is a leading expert on glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), the response of the solid Earth to changes in ice and ocean loading as ice sheets change with time. She implements numerical models of GIA and is equally expert on records of past ice sheet configurations and sea level change. In landmark papers, she completed a continent-wide reconstruction of the Antarctic ice sheet and a new GIA model for Antarctica, with major implications for future sea level rise. Prof Whitehouse took on leadership of the SCAR SERCE (Solid Earth Response and Influence on Cryosphere Evolution) SRP, implementing high-profile science activities and highly successful Training Schools.

Read Pippa’s full citation.

Prof Elisabeth Sikes

Prof Sikes’ contributions to Southern Ocean/ Antarctic Science spans her involvement in the science communities in three countries (Australia, New Zealand and the United States). An active expeditioner, she has participated in 16 oceanographic voyages; seven in the SO. She mounted 3 successful, major coring expeditions to the SO and led two as chief scientist. Prof Sikes actively serves the Antarctic/Southern Ocean scientific community: Since 2017, she has served as a member of the SCAR Southern Ocean Regional Panel (SORP: co-sponsored by CLIC & CLIVAR) and currently serves as SORP co-chair (since 2019).

Read Elisabeth’s full citation.

SCAR Medal for International Scientific Coordination

Prof Stephen Ackley

During a career that has encompassed the mechanical, physical, biological, biogeochemical properties of sea ice, Prof Ackley has initiated, undertaken, or participated in several international programmes and partnerships, including the SCAR Expert Group on Antarctic Sea Ice Processes and Climate for which he was the founding Chair in 1998. Prof Ackley has been Lead or Co-lead on many international expeditions as well as a great champion of new technologies such as UAVs for under-ice work. He has mentored generations of sea ice researchers, going well beyond his own students and country, bringing together researchers from sub-disciplines and attracting scientists from other disciplines to sea ice.

Read Stephen’s full citation.

SCAR Medal for Education and Communication

Dr Bethan Davies

She is passionate about the communication of the polar regions, more specifically Antarctica’s past, present and future. Dr Davies wrote and developed the Antarctic Glaciers website (www.antarcticglaciers.org) as part of her commitment to outreach, education and communication. The website has over 4 million views and is used as a teaching resource by many (>20) universities and numerous schools as well as being cited by outlets such as the New York Times and NASA. It has been recognised with a Certificate of Excellence in Geological Education by the Geologists’ Association. Dr Davies has also been instrumental in getting funding for and producing educational activities including a Polar Environments Day for 150 school students from diverse or lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Read Bethan’s full citation.

2020

SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research

Dr W Berry Lyons

Over a long and distinguished career, Dr W Berry Lyons has undertaken a range of research that is interdisciplinary and international in scope, based on strong collaborations and partnerships and demonstrating unsurpassed creativity and originality in design and execution. His research interests are broad and have crossed scales from the geochemistry of dust particles to contributing to the state of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Climate systems. His impact is exceptional, as judged by his commitment to the success and development of colleagues, co-workers, and students. He is an excellent public speaker and the knowledge and advancements in science produced by his research have had wide societal impact in terms of policy and public awareness.

Read Berry’s full citation.

SCAR Medal for International Scientific Coordination

Dr Carlota Escutia

Through her visionary co-leadership of SCAR’s Past Antarctic Ice Sheet Dynamics (PAIS) programme, and as a founding member and co-chief of its predecessor Antarctic Climate Evolution (ACE), Dr Carlota Escutia has enabled fundamental discoveries and understanding of Antarctic ice sheet history, and ice sheet behaviour as a consequence of global warming. She has been a driving force connecting SCAR and the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) over the last 20 years, successfully bringing the scientific ocean drilling and Antarctic communities together through her energetic, strategic, positive, and diplomatic approach. A major hallmark of her leadership is her mentorship of the next generation of Antarctic researchers and leaders.

Read Carlota’s full citation.

SCAR Medal for Education and Communication

Dr Huw Griffiths

A specialist in polar marine biology, Dr Huw Griffiths has maintained a commitment to science education and communication throughout his career, sharing the wonder of polar science, particularly his own field of marine biology, with diverse audiences. He is an authentic and passionate advocate for making science understandable and available to everyone, connecting with students of all ages and giving minority students contact with Antarctic researchers. Huw is also a great communicator via social media. As the lead editor of the international Pride in Polar Research twitter feed, he has helped to change the narrative around diversity and inclusion in polar science, to raise awareness, change behaviours and to bring the discussion into the open.

Read Huw’s full citation.

SCAR President’s Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Antarctic Science (awarded by Prof Steven L Chown)

Dr Valérie Masson-Delmotte

Dr Valérie Masson-Delmotte is a Senior Researcher at the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’environnement (at CEA), France, and Co-Chair of Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Valérie is widely known for her research on palaeoclimates in the Antarctic and in other regions of the world, especially through the exploration of data from ice-cores. Over more than 20 years, Valérie has worked with an extensive range of researchers across many disciplines to deliver unprecedented knowledge about the behaviour of the Earth System. Much of this work has concerned how the Antarctic provides a record of, and contributes to, variability of the planet’s climate. Her most well-known roles have been through her work with the IPCC, her advice to the government of France, and her engagement with many other decision makers.

Valérie responded: “I would like to thank you deeply for this honour. I have the highest respect for the work of SCAR. I have been extremely impressed by the reports that SCAR prepared on the Antarctic climate and environment. It has been an inspiration for me to work more across disciplines. I am surprised that SCAR gives a medal to a scientist who has never been to Antarctica – I’ve worked on ice core samples, I’ve worked on modelling aspects but I was never part of Antarctic field work. So I feel very humble with this honour, and more than ever motivated to share knowledge and to trigger action because I think, for the future of Antarctica, for the future of ecosystems, for the future of the ice sheet, action is really urgently needed, and I hope all of you will also be ambassadors asking for urgent action. Thank you very much.”

Read Valérie’s full citation from SCAR President Prof Steven L Chown.

2018

SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research

Professor Michael Hambrey

Professor Michael Hambrey, Emeritus Professor of Glaciology at Aberystwyth University, UK, was recognised for his distinctive insights into the field of glaciology and of particular note the application of our understanding of modern glacial processes to interpreting ancient glacial sequences. Michael Hambrey’s work was acknowledged as often the first thorough analysis in a particular sector, but if not, it was invariably groundbreaking.

After receiving the news about his award, Michael commented “I am delighted and honoured to receive the 2018 SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research. I have been fortunate to investigate modern glaciers in many parts of the world, and be able to use the knowledge gained to interpret older glacial sequences in Antarctica and elsewhere. This work could not have been undertaken without the wonderful collaboration I have had from colleagues around the world, notably the Antarctic community, with whom it has been a pleasure to work. I thank them for their contribution, and the SCAR Executive Committee in making this award.”

SCAR Medal for International Scientific Coordination

Professor Terry Wilson

Professor Terry Wilson, Professor at the Ohio State University, USA, was recognised for her long-standing contributions and leadership of the Solid Earth sciences within SCAR. Terry Wilson’s contributions were acknowledged with outstanding service noted as SCAR Vice-President, Chief Officer and heading the “Dynamic Earth” component of the Horizon Scan activity. Along with wider national and international leadership roles beyond SCAR, her commitment to supporting the next generation of researchers through a wide range of international training schools were particularly appreciated.

After receiving the news about her award, Terry commented “I am delighted and surprised! I have learned through SCAR the many ways that international and interdisciplinary perspectives and participation leverage science and result in greater excellence and global impact. Working together with international colleagues has been an inspiration and a pleasure in my career – this recognition is thus especially gratifying, and I am greatly honored to receive the SCAR Medal for International Scientific Coordination.”

SCAR Medal for Education and Communication

Professor James McClintock

Professor James McClintock, Professor at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, was recognised for his important research and educational efforts with their emphasis on Antarctic climate change and impacts on a unique marine biology. The award also acknowledges their focus on increasing awareness of the uniqueness of Antarctica, the protection of its ecosystems, and the inherent value of sustaining it. These represent a sustained commitment to communicating the understanding of Antarctic issues to both his peers and to the general public.

After receiving the news about his award, James commented “I am both honored and thrilled to have been selected for the inaugural SCAR Medal for Education and Communication. This recognition is not only personally rewarding, but will further enhance opportunities for me to speak and write widely on the uniqueness of Antarctica, the importance of protecting its diverse marine ecosystems, and especially its capacity to focus public attention on the global issue of anthropogenic climate change.”