The Geological Society is delighted to announce the winners of its prestigious Medals, Awards and Funds for 2026 in recognition of significant achievements and service to the geoscience community.

The Wollaston Medal

The Wollaston Medal, first awarded in 1831 to William Smith, celebrates geoscientists who have had significant influence “by means of a substantial body of excellent research in either or both 'pure' and 'applied' aspects of the science” thus advancing our understanding of the Earth. This prestigious medal, and highest award bestowed by the Society, is conferred upon Emeritus Professor Rory Mortimore.

Image credit: Danny Long

Now retired, Professor Mortimore holds the title of Emeritus Professor at the University of Brighton and continues to contribute to Cretaceous geology as a specialist consultant on the Chalk.

Research is the foundation of Professor Mortimore’s work: exemplified by an extensive publication list in the fields of civil engineering and sedimentology. His contributions to the written record of the Chalk are peerless and his expertise on the Cretaceous is held in high regard by geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists and contractors across the UK. This award is most fitting for Professor Mortimore in recognition of his esteemed academic record and its practical applications.

Notable past honours for Professor Mortimore include the University of Brighton Top Teaching Award (July 2003), the Engineering Group’s Glossop Medal and Lecture (2010), the Geological Society’s Coke Medal (2015), the Geologists’ Association’s Richardson Award for Publication in Geology (1998 and 2020).

In addition, the Society celebrates this year's recipients of the Lyell, Murchison, and William Smith Medals for exceptional research contributions or significant influence on the geosciences.

The Lyell Medal

The Lyell Medal is presented this year to Professor Margaret Collinson, Royal Holloway University of London, an exceptional palaeobotanist and palynologist. Her receptiveness to emerging techniques and technologies coupled with her interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborative approach have resulted in milestone contributions to our understanding of Paleogene vegetation, climate change and animal-plant interactions. Beyond her outstanding research career, she is also a passionate educator, mentoring 28 graduate students and contributing to the community by serving as President of the International Organisation of Paleobotany.

The Murchison Medal

Professor Peter Cawood, Monash University receives the Murchison Medal, awarded “for significant contribution to 'hard' rock studies”. Professor Cawood is internationally recognised for his expertise in structural geology, tectonic processes and geochronology. His application of geochemical techniques alongside field geology have contributed to new tectonic models that have changed our understanding of Earth evolution, the nature of the geological record, and provided new insight into defining the early supercontinents. With over 450 publications, 57,000 citations and service on numerous editorial boards including as Editor-in-Chief of Precambrian Research, Professor Cawood is a worthy recipient.

The William Smith Medal

The William Smith Medal, awarded for “contributions to applied and economic geology”, is awarded to Dr Chris Morley, a structural geologist, seismic interpreter and exploration geologist. Dr Morley’s

work has applied geological and geophysical information from industrial and collaborative academic sources to support key advances in understanding structural geology, sedimentary basin development, basin modelling and regional tectonic development. With over 230 publications, his research successfully aligns research with practical applications. Also an enthusiastic educator, he has promoted training across industry and academia, contributed to MSc programs, and supervised 70 MSc and 9 PhD projects.

Presentation ceremony

A formal presentation ceremony will be held at Burlington House on 17 June 2026 as part of the Society’s annual President’s Day celebrations. The Society warmly congratulates each and every one of this year’s prize winners.

Geological Society Awards, Medals and Funds Recipients 2026:

Wollaston Medal Prof Rory Mortimore, ChalkRock Ltd/University of Brighton, UK

Lyell Medal Prof Margaret Collinson, Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, UK

Murchison Medal Prof Peter Cawood, Monash University, Australia

William Smith Medal Dr Christopher Morley,Consultant, UK

Prestwich Medal Prof Andy Gale, University of Portsmouth, UK

Dewey Medal Prof David J A Evans, Durham University, UK

Coke Medal Ron Daniel, Lions Denergy, St. Lucia

Coke Medal Prof Georg Zellmer, Universität Bonn, Germany

Distinguished Service Award Prof Silvia Peppoloni, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy

R H Worth Award Luisa Hendry, Scottish Geologist and Scot Rock Walks – Scottish Geology Tours Ltd, UK

Bigsby Medal Dr Jakob Vinther, University of Bristol, UK

Wollaston Fund Dr Nemi Walding, Kelpie Geoscience Limited, UK

Lyell Fund Dr Elias Rugen, University of Southampton, UK

William Smith Fund Dr Martin Li, Imperial College London, UK

President’s Award Dr Alice Paine, University of Basel, Switzerland

President’s Award Dr Emma Watts, Swansea University, UK

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: The Geological Society