Royal Geographical Society honours top geographers

Eminent polar explorer and communicator, Børge Ousland, and distinguished human geographer, Professor Susan J. Smith, have been awarded the Society’s two prestigious Royal Medals. These are part of a series of awards that recognise extraordinary achievement in geographical research, fieldwork and expeditions, teaching, policy, professional practice and public engagement.

The Royal Medals, which are of equal standing, have been approved by His Majesty the King, and are among the highest honours of their kind in the world. They have been presented since the 1830s and past recipients include Sir David Attenborough, Dame Fiona Reynolds and Lindsey Hilsum. This year's medals and awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Society in London on Monday 2 June. 

Børge Ousland is awarded the 2025 Founder’s Medal in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to polar exploration. Over the course of four decades, Børge has explored, documented and shared his experiences in the Arctic and Antarctica while consistently pushing the boundaries of human endurance. Beyond individual feats, such as crossing Antarctica without support in just 64 days, his observations and documentation have been invaluable to the scientific community and public understanding of global environmental issues.

Professor Dame Jane Francis, President of the Royal Geographical Society, said: “Børge’s polar expeditions have set new standards and greatly advanced our understanding of the polar regions. Through his books, films and lectures, he has not only shared valuable insights into the changing Arctic environment, he has also inspired countless individuals. Børge’s work embodies the spirit of exploration and scientific inquiry that the Founder’s Medal represents.”

Børge Ousland said he was “honoured and humbled” when news of the award reached him while on an expedition in the Canadian Arctic.

Professor Susan J. Smith receives the 2025 Patron’s Medal for her encouragement and promotion of excellence in geographical science.

Throughout her career, Susan has made critically insightful contributions that have shaped geographical inquiry into issues as diverse as ethnic residential segregation, health inequalities, and the geographies of crime, as well as concerns about housing finance, the cultural politics of music, and emotional geographies. Beyond her outstanding intellectual and scholarly contributions, Susan has represented and promoted the discipline of geography through significant leadership roles including as Mistress of Girton College (Cambridge) and Director of the Institute of Advanced Study (Durham).

Dame Jane said: “Susan’s scholarship is theoretically and conceptually sophisticated, empirically rich and grounded, and highly insightful, with impacts that reach well outside the discipline – many of those she has supervised and mentored now work in government policy roles. Susan has been a truly exceptional leader in shaping the contemporary discipline of geography, and the Patron’s Medal is a fitting recognition of her achievements.”

Professor Susan Smith said: “I feel so lucky to have ‘discovered’ geography – an energising, outward-looking discipline, open to new ideas, always tilting towards fairer, more sustainable futures. It’s not hard to encourage or promote a subject that you are passionate about! Still, I’m bowled over to receive the Patron’s medal from the Society which is, in truth, a tribute to the patience and brilliance of teachers, colleagues, students, family and friends too numerous to list.”
This year, the Society’s medals and awards recognise 24 outstanding people for their notable contributions to geography. Other recipients include:

•    Ana-Maria Pavalache, who receives the Cherry Kearton Medal and Award for her use of photography to enrich our understanding of the natural world and explore the complexities of human experience.
•    Professor Dariusz Wójcik, who receives the Murchison Award for his body of publications on the economic geographies of money and finance, which have forged a whole new branch of geographical science. 
•    Oliver Uberti, who receives the Geographical Engagement Award for his creation of maps and data visualisations that not only inform but also inspire us to think about the world differently and, crucially, to care about it. 
•    Phoebe Smith, who receives the Ness Award for her promotion of accessible adventure, particularly to women and those from under-privileged communities, encouraging them to engage with nature in a thoughtful and conscious way.
•    Preet Chandi MBE, who receives the Geographical Award in recognition of the impact her expeditions have had in inspiring young people.

For the full list of awards and recipients, please visit here 

Story Source: Royal Geographical Society