AOGS Axford Medal

(Year Instituted: 2018)

for recognizing excellence in geoscience

The AOGS establishes the AOGS Axford Medal in honour of Professor W. Ian Axford for his "vision of academic excellence and unselfish scientific cooperation in Asia and Oceania." Prof W. Ian Axford was one of the major architects of AOGS before it was officially established in 2004. He is a distinguished scientist who was responsible for developing many fundamental theories for the structure of the magnetosphere, origin of the solar wind, and cosmic ray particle acceleration. He was also instrumental in promoting international cooperation in the geosciences in the broadest sense. The AOGS Axford Medal acknowledges an individual for outstanding achievements in geosciences, including planetary and solar system science, as well as unselfish cooperation and leadership in Asia and Oceania.

Calls for nominations for the Axford Medal should be announced at least 9 months before the next AOGS Annual General Meeting.

Important Information

  1. Axford Medal nominations for recognizing excellence in geoscience
  2. A fixed package of USD2, 500 will be awarded to the winner on a reimbursement basis for covering airfare, hotel and all other travel associated expenses. Registration fee exempt for attending the annual meeting to receive the award.
  3. If the Council awards an Axford Medal then it will be conferred at an Annual General Meeting of AOGS, usually during the General Assembly on the opening day of the meeting.
  4. The Award Committee should evaluate and rank the nominated candidates and then submit its recommendations and the ranked list to the Council, at least 3 months prior to the next AOGS Annual General Meeting, for consideration and approval.
  5. The criteria for ranking, each of equal weight, are:
    1. Sustained record of leadership in national and international research programmes
    2. Sustained record of high profile publications
    3. Demonstration of impact of research
    4. Evidence of wider recognition of research contribution among peers
    5. Mentorship of early career scientists through development of research teams
  6. Requirements for Nominations of the Axford Medal:
    1. A nomination letter: this
      1. should demonstrate the nominee’s outstanding contributions to the geosciences (including planetary and solar system science) and
      2. Must be 2 pages or less in length.
    2. A list of selected publications: this list
      1. Must be no longer than 2 pages and describe the major publications of the nominee, and
      2. Must include the published papers that best support the argument for award of the Axford Medal.
    3. Curriculum Vitae: this must be approximately 2 pages of length and include the nominee’s degrees, employment, honours, memberships, and service to the scientific community.
    4. Three supporting reference letters:
      - Supporting letters from the outside of the candidate’s home country are necessary to show wide international recognition.
  7. Validity of Nomination
    The completed nomination package can be retained for 3 years so that candidates who are unsuccessful in initial application can be considered in two further rounds
  8. Self-nomination is not allowed.
    Only complete package submitted online via MARS will be considered.

AOGS Axford Medal

(Year Instituted: 2010)

for outstanding achievements in geosciences,
and unselfish cooperation and leadership in Asia and Oceania

  1. The AOGS establishes the AOGS Axford Medal in honour of Professor W. Ian Axford for his “vision of academic excellence and unselfish scientific cooperation in Asia and Oceania.” Prof. W. Ian Axford was one of the major architects of AOGS before it was officially established in 2004. He is a distinguished scientist who was responsible for developing many fundamental theories for the structure of the magnetosphere, origin of the solar wind, and cosmic ray particle acceleration. He was also instrumental in promoting international cooperation in the geosciences in the broadest sense. The AOGS Axford Medal acknowledges an individual for outstanding achievements in geosciences, including planetary and solar system science, as well as unselfish cooperation and leadership in Asia and Oceania.
  2. Calls for nominations for the Axford Medal should be announced at least 9 months before the next AOGS Annual General Meeting.
  3. The Award Committee should evaluate and rank the nominated candidates and then submit its recommendations and the ranked list to the Council, at least 3 months prior to the next AOGS Annual General Meeting, for consideration and approval. The criteria for ranking, each of equal weight, are:
    1. The excellence, outstanding nature, breadth, persistence, and international recognition of a candidate’s research contributions to the geosciences;
    2. The excellence and duration of a candidate’s record of international leadership and unselfish cooperation in the geosciences, particularly in Asia and Oceania;
    3. The excellence and duration of a candidate’s contributions to AOGS, especially relating to the development of the geosciences within Asia and Oceania and to international cooperation within and outside these regions.
  4. If the Council awards an Axford Medal then it will be conferred at an Annual General Meeting of AOGS.
  5. Requirements for Nominations of the Axford Medal:
    1. A nomination letter: this
      1. should demonstrate the nominee’s outstanding contributions to the geosciences (including planetary and solar system science) and
      2. must be 2 pages or less in length.
    2. A list of selected publications: this list
      1. must be no longer than 2 pages and describe the major publications of the nominee, and
      2. must include the published papers that best support the argument for award of the Axford Medal.
    3. Curriculum Vitae: this must be approximately 2 pages of length and include the nominee’s degrees, employment, honours, memberships, and service to the scientific community.
    4. Three supporting reference letters:
      • Supporting letters from the outside of the candidate’s home country are necessary to show wide international recognition.
  6. Complete nominations should be sent by email, with the documents in pdf format as attachments, for the attention of the Award Committee.