Joy Tivy was Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and subsequently Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Glasgow from 1956 until her retirement in 1989. Professor Tivy was an eminent biogeographer and an international leader of the sub-discipline for many years. She was a highly committed and very effective teacher and always wanted to do the best for her students. Professor Tivy served for several years as Head of Department at Glasgow, one of the first women to head a geography department in Scotland.

Joy Tivy Education Medal: for exemplary, outstanding and inspirational teaching, educational policy or work in formal and informal educational arenas. This was awarded first in 2008. Its recipients include Anita Ganeri, and the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers.

• 2022           Chalk Talks Team
• 2020           Dr Howie Firth MBE
• 2019           Kenneth Maclean
• 2018           Sir Ken Robinson
• 2016           Val Vannet
• 2014           Ken Muir
• 2013           Alan Parkinson
• 2011           Scottish Association of Geography Teachers (SAGT)
• 2010           Anita Ganeri
• 2009           Erica Caldwell
• 2008           James R Carson