BSRG Awards
One of the ways that the British Sedimentological Research Group (BSRG) recognises substantial contributions to the field of sedimentology is through a series of awards that span all career stages. These awards are presented at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is held in December. Following discussions at the 2019 BSRG AGM, the criteria for some awards has been broadened. Previously these were awarded on the basis of a “substantial body of research” (Perce Allen Award) and “noteworthy published research” (Roland Goldring Award). We have opted to expand this scope to also encompass other activities that positively benefit the sedimentological community, including mentorship, support, training, leadership, and acting as a strong role model. The legacy built by great sedimentologists extends far beyond published papers. We recognise the value in training and mentoring the next generations of sedimentologists, ensuring our discipline continues to grow and evolve, and the importance of those that build and maintain a supportive community for new members to thrive. The revisions to the award criteria reflect these values.
Award nomination calls:
The award nomination calls are announced and circulated through the BSRG
mailing list, website and social media at the beginning of autumn (typically
September). The nomination deadline is typically at the end of November each
year and nominations are submitted to the BSRG Awards officer (Sanem
Acikalin; awards@bsrg.org.uk or
sanem.acikalin@newcastle.ac.uk).
The Perce Allen and Roland Goldring awards and Harold Reading Medal
nominations are judged by an independent awards committee, based on a
consistent structured marking criteria. The independent award committee is
composed of five independent members and chaired by the Awards Officer of
the BSRG committee. An invitation to volunteer for the Awards Committee is
opened during the AGM as well as through invitation from the Awards Officer.
Analysis of past awards identifies clear issues in relation to gender
balance (11% female: 89% male) and underrepresentation with regards to
ethnicity and race (4% BAME: 96% white). Please do take the time to think
about this and to nominate someone deserving for the awards. We strive to
have as diverse representation as possible on the Awards Committee (gender,
race, discipline, industry/academia), and are always keen to hear from
volunteers to join this committee.
Assessment for Undergraduate and Masters Sedimentology Awards follows a
similar structured marking criteria to the other three awards, and are
awarded by the BSRG Committee (Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Awards Officer
and Industry Representatives).
Perce Allen Award
This award recognises a substantial contribution in any field of
sedimentology Such a contribution will have made a profound and positive
impact on the discipline, and may include but not be limited to, developing
new generations of sedimentologists through outstanding leadership or
mentoring, significant societal or economic translation of sedimentological
research, creation of a substantial body of research, developing novel,
innovative or transformative techniques, making a fundamental change in our
understanding of sedimentology, or encouraging and enabling positive change
within any discipline of sedimentology. Nominees can be at any age and any
career level.
Roland Goldring
This award recognises a noteworthy contribution to any field of
sedimentology. Nominees must be within ten years (full time equivalent) of
the commencement of their research career. Any career break will be
subtracted from the total time spent in the research. Historically this
award has recognised only noteworthy published research. We now encourage
nominees that have made any noteworthy contribution to the field of
sedimentology.
Harold Reading Medal
This medal is presented to the most influential and/or outstanding
publication by a current or recent postgraduate student (normally within 2
years of doctoral award) from their PhD project in the field of
sedimentology. It is expected that this PhD research will have been
presented at the BSRG AGM but this is not a strict criterion for nomination.
The Awards Committee do not take metrics such as Journal Impact Factor into
account when assessing the submissions.
BSRG Award for Undergraduate
Sedimentology
This is awarded annually to the best final-year undergraduate sedimentological project at a UK or Irish University
BSRG Award for Masters Sedimentology
This is awarded to the best sedimentological project completed by a student
on a one-year taught Masters course at a UK or Irish University.
This is awarded annually to one or more postgraduate students, based on their research presented at the BSRG AGM.