Today, we're delighted to announce the winners of our annual awards and prizes, recognising nine distinguished ecologists whose work has benefited the scientific community and society.
Honorary membership, the highest honour given by the society, has been awarded to two eminent ecologists whose illustrious careers continue to advance our understanding of the natural world: Professor Tim Clutton-Brock and Professor Josephine Pemberton.
Dr Tatsuya Amano is this year's Equality and Diversity Champion for his work on the translatE project, a world leading initiative tackling language barriers that can impede the science and practice of biodiversity conservation.
Now meet all this year's winners…
Honorary Membership
Tim Clutton-Brock, University of Cambridge
Honorary membership is the highest honour we can give and it recognises an exceptional contribution at international level to the generation, communication and promotion of ecological knowledge and solutions.
Professor Tim Clutton-Brock is a leading behavioural ecologist best known for his comparative studies of the behavioural ecology of mammals. Tim's work has focussed on three long-term studies of animals in the wild: red deer on the Scottish Isle of Rùm; Soay sheep on St Kilda; and meerkats in the southern Kalahari of Africa, the latter becoming the subjects of the popular the television programme Meerkat Manor.
Honorary membership isn't Tim's first award from the BES, back in 1998 he received the Marsh Award for Ecology. He's also a fellow of the Royal Society and awardee of the Frink Medal of the Zoological Society of London.
On receiving Honorary Membership, Tim said: "I have been a member of the British Ecological Society throughout my life, so Honorary Membership of the Society means a great deal to me. I am delighted that the contributions that my group have made to ecology are recognised."
Josephine Pemberton, University of Edinburgh
Professor Josephine Pemberton is an evolutionary biologist who has pioneered genetic parentage analysis in wild animal populations, leading to new insights into mating behaviour and natural selection.
Just like Tim Clutton-Brock, our other Honorary Member this year, most of Josephine's research has focussed on long-term studies which she has been instrumental in running. In these studies individual life histories of wild animals are recorded in detail: the Soay sheep of St Kilda and the red deer on the Isle of Rùm.
On receiving the award, Josephine said: "I am surprised and extremely flattered by this award. In accepting it I have two main emotions. First, I feel it is recognition for the value of long-term studies of individuals. It is clear that the longer such studies run, the more we discover. Second, I may be the one getting the award, but these projects are team efforts and I want my colleagues to know how much I appreciate them."
BES Award
Tom Ezard, University of Southampton
This Award is made in recognition of exceptional service to the Society.
I feel honoured to be celebrated by such an amazing group of peers.
Professor Tom Ezard has made an outstanding contribution to the work of the BES over many years, primarily through his committee roles of Early Career Representative, member of Finance Committee and Honorary Treasurer. In these roles, Tom proposed free membership for students (which are available for a year for new student members), was influential in improving the environmental sustainability of the Society's investment portfolio, and made exceptional contributions to the BES finding it's current home at Wharf Road.
Tom said: "I feel honoured to be celebrated by such an amazing group of peers. I didn't imagine my time in office would include the buying and selling of property, nor such ramifications of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. I'm grateful to all those involved for their help in charting a resilient course through the first part of the Society's second century."
Marsh Award for Ecology
Nathalie Seddon, University of Oxford
This prize is awarded for an outstanding current research record which is having a significant impact on the development of the science of ecology or its application. It is provided by the Marsh Charitable Trust and administered by the British Ecological Society.
I believe that applied ecology plays a crucial role in our collective efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
Professor Nathalie Seddon is interested in understanding the origins and maintenance of biodiversity and its relationship with global change. She advises governments, UN agencies and businesses on nature-based solutions to societal challenges. In 2017, she founded the Nature-based Solutions Initiative a programme of interdisciplinary research, policy advice, and education aimed at bringing the equitable protection of nature to the centre of the sustainable development agenda.
On winning the award, Nathalie said: "I believe that applied ecology, which integrates diverse approaches and fields, plays a crucial role in our collective efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. It brings me immense joy to receive an award that helps to highlight the importance of this work."
Marsh Award for Climate Change Research
Miguel Bastos Araújo, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
This prize is awarded for an outstanding contribution to climate change research. It is provided by the Marsh Charitable Trust and administered by the British Ecological Society.
Professor Miguel Araújo has contributed to shaping modern ecology and conservation by pioneering analyses of large species distributions data, helping uncover patterns and processes underlying the distribution of Life on earth, and forecasting the effects of climate change on biodiversity. His research has been critical to the establishment of current best practices for data and models in predictions of biodiversity change through time.
On receiving the award, Miguel said: "I have conducted the majority of my academic training in Britain, so being recognised by the British Ecological Society for my research holds a special significance for me."
Marsh Award for Ecologists in Africa
Maria Fungomeli, National Museums of Kenya
This prize aims to celebrate the significant scientific achievements of African ecologists and raise their profile in the UK. It is provided by the Marsh Charitable Trust and administered by the British Ecological Society.
Maria Fungomeli has conducted extensive research of the Kenyan Coastal forests, assessing plant and butterfly diversity as well as social-ecological surveys to understand the relationship between ecosystem functioning and human activities. This work brought new insights to a previously understudied landscape and significantly contributing to conservation strategies.
Maria said: "I hope this award motivates the young generation and women in Africa and beyond, to attain higher degrees and join research as we tackle the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss across the globe."
Founders' Prize
James Stroud, Georgia Tech
This Prize commemorates the enthusiasm and vision of the Society's founders. It is awarded to an outstanding early career ecologist who is starting to make a significant contribution to the science of ecology.
Dr James Stroud has been highlighted as a rising star in ecology for his broad and integrative thinking in research topics and abilities as an educator. James's research is reshaping how we think about the nexus of ecology and evolution: how current ecological conditions drive evolutionary change and, conversely, how the history of a species dictates its current ecological niche.
"This award holds special significance for me, as my first major conference was the 2010 BES annual meeting in Leeds." Said James. "There, as a nervous Master's student presenting a poster on my European adder research, I fell in love with the ecological research community. Just as the BES inspired me at the start of my career, I am committed to doing the same for the next generation of ecologists and evolutionary biologists."
Ecological Engagement Award
Patrick Kirwan, Ardscoil na Mara School and the Irish Schools Sustainability Network
This Award recognises an ecologist who has bridged the gap between ecology and other groups.
Patrick Kirwan developed an award-winning nature curriculum in London before replicating this model at Ardscoil na Mara in Ireland, where he now also runs place-based teacher training. In 2021, he founded the Irish Schools Sustainability Network (ISSN) for teachers and students, to teach climate and ecological literacy in Irish schools.
"This award recognizes the dedication of teachers in the ISSN who, while teaching full-time, are creating innovative models for nature education and lobbying for systemic change." Said Patrick. "This work is meaningful, fulfilling and at times it is nourishing for the soul but is also demanding and it's wonderful and motivating to get this recognition."
Equality and Diversity Champion
Tatsuya Amano and the translatE project, University of Queensland
This annual award recognises an individual or group who have campaigned to highlight the importance of equality and diversity and worked to make a difference or served as an inspiration to others. It honours and celebrates those who have made significant, innovative and cumulatively outstanding contributions to enhancing the practice of equality and diversity in the ecological community.
Dr Tatsuya Amano leads the translatE project, an innovative, world-leading initiative to tackle language barriers and promote diversity in science.
Tatsuya's work has transformed the perception of language barriers, from being viewed as a problem specific and applicable exclusively to non-native English speakers to being recognised as a shared issue for the entire scientific community
Tatsuya said: "Since the launch of the translatE project I have worked with over 130 people from around the world, who are collectively native speakers of 17 languages. It is their skills in languages, understanding of the diversity of cultures, knowledge on local biodiversity and science, and above all their passion for science and conservation, that have brought this project a long way. I would like to dedicate this award to them."
Awards presentation
The winners will be presented with their prizes during a ceremony held at the BES Annual Meeting which runs from 10 - 13 December in Liverpool. The meeting will bring together over 1000 ecologists (in person and online) to discuss the latest advances in ecological research across the whole discipline.
