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  • medallists
  1. Our Heritage
  2. Medallists

Medallists

Since 1888, we have regularly awarded Honorary Fellowships (FRSGS) in recognition of individuals' services to the Society or to the wider discipline of geography. And since 1890, when we awarded our first Gold Medal to the explorer HM Stanley, the RSGS’s prestigious Medals have allowed us to recognise outstanding contributions made by individuals (or occasionally by organisations) in a wide range of geographical fields.

Over the past 130 years, we have awarded more than 750 Honorary Fellowships and nearly 400 Medals! Award presentation events have given RSGS audiences the opportunity to meet and to hear stories from some of the greatest names of their day – people who have excelled in geographical activities, from exploration to education.

We welcome nominations for new Medallists and Fellows at any time. If you would like to propose someone for an award, please complete and submit this online form or this Word document. Each nomination requires a proposer and a seconder; self-nominations are not usually accepted.

Scottish Geographical Medal

Scottish Geographical Medal

The Scottish Geographical Medal is the RSGS’s highest accolade, awarded for conspicuous merit and a performance of world-wide repute. It was awarded first in 1890 as the Gold Medal, and from 1933 as the Scottish Geographical Medal. Read more

Published: 1st June, 2019

Updated: 13th January, 2023

Author: Margaret Paterson

Coppock Research Medal

Coppock Research Medal

The Coppock Research Medal is the RSGS’s highest research-specific award, awarded for an outstanding contribution to geographical knowledge through research and publication. Read more

Published: 2nd June, 2019

Updated: 28th September, 2021

Author: Margaret Paterson

Livingstone Medal

Livingstone Medal

The Livingstone Medal is awarded for outstanding service of a humanitarian nature with a clear geographical dimension. It was awarded first in 1901. Read more

Published: 3rd June, 2019

Updated: 23rd April, 2021

Author: James Cave

Mungo Park Medal

Mungo Park Medal

The Mungo Park Medal is awarded for an outstanding contribution to geographical knowledge through exploration or adventure in potentially hazardous physical or social environments. Read more

Published: 4th June, 2019

Updated: 6th March, 2023

Author: Margaret Paterson

Shackleton Medal

Shackleton Medal

The Shackleton Medal is awarded for leadership and citizenship in a geographical field, in particular in the fields and current themes of most concern to RSGS. Read more

Published: 5th June, 2019

Updated: 17th May, 2022

Author: Margaret Paterson

Geddes Environment Medal

Geddes Environment Medal

The Geddes Environment Medal is awarded for an outstanding practical, research or communications contribution to conservation and protection of the natural environment and the development of sustainability. Read more

Published: 6th June, 2019

Updated: 7th May, 2021

Author: Margaret Paterson

Joy Tivy Education Medal

Joy Tivy Education Medal

The Joy Tivy Education Medal is awarded for exemplary, outstanding and inspirational teaching, educational policy or work in formal and informal educational arenas. Read more

Published: 7th June, 2019

Updated: 13th December, 2022

Author: Margaret Paterson

Bartholomew Globe

Bartholomew Globe

The Bartholomew Globe is awarded for excellence in the assembly, delivery or application of geographical information through cartography, GIS and related techniques. Read more

Published: 8th June, 2019

Updated: 28th February, 2020

Author: Margaret Paterson

President's Award

President's Award

The President’s Award recognises achievement and celebrates the impact of geographers’ work on wider society. Read more

Published: 9th June, 2019

Updated: 8th November, 2022

Author: Margaret Paterson

Honorary Fellowship

Honorary Fellowship

An Honorary Fellowship is awarded in recognition of services to the Society and to the wider discipline of geography. Since 2008, medallists of the RSGS have automatically been made Honorary Fellows. Read more

Published: 10th June, 2019

Updated: 7th March, 2023

Author: Margaret Paterson

Newbigin Prize

Newbigin Prize

The Newbigin Prize is awarded for the most notable contribution to the Scottish Geographical Journal, or any other RSGS publication, during the previous year. Read more

Published: 11th June, 2019

Updated: 27th June, 2019

Author: Margaret Paterson

W S Bruce Medal

W S Bruce Medal

The W S Bruce Medal is awarded for some notable contribution to Zoology, Botany, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography or Geography, where new knowledge has been gained through a personal visit to polar regions. Read more

Published: 12th June, 2019

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Margaret Paterson

Bronze Medal

Bronze Medal

The Bronze Medal was awarded for outstanding public service in which Geography has played an important part, either by exploration, by administration, or in other directions where its principles have been applied to the benefit of the human race. Read more

Published: 14th June, 2019

Updated: 27th June, 2019

Author: Margaret Paterson

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Showing 10 of 13

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  • Who We Are

    Who We Are

    With the support of more than 2,500 Members, c120 volunteers, and six staff, we are a small, flexible organisation, striving to increase geographical understanding.

  • Our Philosophy

    Our Philosophy

    The Royal Scottish Geographical Society is a dynamic educational charity with far-reaching influence and a mission to inspire and inform.

  • RSGS People

    RSGS People

    We are associated with some amazing people - explorers, adventurers, travellers, photographers, writers, humanitarians, scientists, journalists...

  • University Research

    University Research

    We promote geographical research in Scottish universities, offer ‘knowledge exchange’ opportunities, and publish a peer-reviewed academic journal.

  • Nominate for Awards

    Nominate for Awards

    Submit your nominations for new RSGS Medallists and Fellows, recognising outstanding contributions in a wide range of geographical fields.

  • Volunteer With Us

    Volunteer With Us

    It's easy to volunteer with us, and we have lots of exciting projects to work on, including hosting speakers at our talks, giving RSGS talks to external clubs and guiding visitors at our HQ in Perth.

  • Schools Education

    Schools Education

    We are a champion for geographical education in Scottish schools, involved in policy discussions, promoting geography in schools, and projects.

  • Informing Policy

    Informing Policy

    We engage in policy discussions with national government departments, international bodies, local authorities, community organisations, schools, universities, companies, NGOs and others.

  • Our Impact

    Our Impact

    We provide informed, intelligent, insightful commentary on world issues from a geographical perspective.

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