The VMSG Award

The VMSG Award may be made annually to an individual who is deemed to have made a significant advance to our understanding of volcanic and magmatic processes and who has made substantial contributions to the research community. The Award winner will have the opportunity to present their research as a keynote talk at the annual VMSG conference in January.

Please see the Award Guidelines for eligibility criteria and full information.

 

The awarding panel will take into consideration the following points to assess whether the application describes and evidences a researcher who has had a substantial influence in their academic field and research community:

  • Research outputs (40%) – Are the nominee’s research outputs robust, innovative, insightful, ethical and collaborative?
  • Community contributions (40%) – Has the nominee made strong and committed contributions to the research community and environment? For example, through promoting an equitable, diverse and inclusive culture, a commitment to public engagement or science communication, or convening impactful workshops or conferences.
  • Impact (20%) – To what extent has research by the nominee contributed “societal impacts” (tangible benefits to society, economy, environment or culture) or “academic impacts” (major advances in knowledge and understanding)?

 

A huge congratulations to Prof Michael Heap, whose contributions will be recognised by the VMSG Award this year!

Mike has been an active member of the VMSG community for many years and amongst his substantial and interdisciplinary academic contributions to volcanology he has also been a strong advocate for open science, equitable collaboration and in supporting early career researchers globally – all of which are strongly in the spirit of the award.

Mike will be receiving the VMSG Award at our annual conference, which this year will be held in Dublin, where he will be presenting a keynote lecture. Please join us if you can to celebrate his contributions and achievements!

 

Past winners:

2025: Prof. Michael Heap (Université de Strasbourg)

2024: Prof. Clive Oppenheimer (University of Cambridge)
2023: Prof. Eliza Calder (University of Edinburgh)
2022: Dr Dan Morgan (University of Leeds)
2021: Prof. Ed Llewellin (University of Durham)
2020: Prof. David Pyle (University of Oxford)
2019: Dr Marie Edmonds (University of Cambridge)
2018: Dr Hugh Tuffen (University of Lancaster)
2017: Dr Susan Loughlin (British Geological Survey)
2016: Prof. Yan Lavallée (University of Liverpool)
2015: Prof. Jenni Barclay (University of East Anglia)
2014: Prof. Jon Davidson (Durham University)
50th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Award: Prof. Steve Sparks (University of Bristol)
2013: Dr Mike Branney (University of Leicester)
2012: Prof. John Gamble (University College, Cork)
2011: Prof. Valentin Troll (University of Uppsala)
2010: Dr Stephen Blake (The Open University)
2009: Dr Ken Thomson (University of Birmingham)
2008: Dr Marian Holness (University of Cambridge)