Peer recognition is a way of rewarding and highlighting those who exemplify the best of the Antarctic community and serve as models for the next generation. To provide this recognition within the Antarctic research community, SCAR created the Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research and the Medal for International Coordination, which were first awarded in 2006. At the SCAR Delegates Meeting in 2016, a new medal was approved, the Medal for Education and Communication, and this was awarded for the first time in 2018. Nominations are now open for the award of all three Medals in 2020.
To encourage nominations and ensure an open, fair and transparent selection process, recipients of the medals are selected by committee. There are no age restrictions or limits on nominees, and no higher education degree requirements - everyone is eligible to be nominated. However, self-nominations are not accepted.
The SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research is awarded for significant Antarctic research contributions. Selection is based on a person's outstanding contributions to knowledge and the impact of their work on understanding the Antarctic region, the linkages between Antarctica and the Earth system, and/or observations of and from Antarctica. Nominees are welcomed in all areas of Antarctic and Southern Ocean research.
The SCAR Medal for International Coordination is awarded for outstanding and sustained contributions to international cooperation and partnerships. Nomination of persons that have advanced SCAR's mission to initiate, facilitate, co-ordinate and encourage international research activity in the Antarctic region are encouraged. Nominees should have a record of recognition of international activities by their peers, including prizes, honorary degrees and other awards that demonstrate the person's impact.
The SCAR Medal for Education and Communication is awarded for excellence or innovation in, and sustained commitment to: (a) communicating Antarctic research, (b) making a significant contribution to educating the next generation of Antarctic researchers, or (c) contributing to building new capacity in SCAR member countries. Nominees should have a significant record of achievement in terms of the quality, effectiveness and creativity of their engagement in one or more of these three key areas of education and communication.
Nominations for 2020 Awards are open until 4 March 2020.
For further details and to nominate someone for a SCAR Medal, please go to the SCAR Medals section: www.scar.org/awards/medals/info/
To see the past winners, visit the Awardees section: www.scar.org/awards/medals/awardees/