Whitaker Medal
The Whitaker Medal is awarded in memory of the distinguished geologist William Whitaker, and was first awarded by the Institution of Water Engineers in 1930 to R.C.S. Walters for his paper on the hydrogeology of the Chalk in England.
Since that time, the Institution and its successors awarded the Medal a further 14 times to a total of 24 individuals. Since 1996, the Medal has been awarded by the Hydrogeological Group of the Geological Society in recognition of an outstanding contribution to hydrogeology.
Please see our guidance on the submission of nominations below.
Medal recipients
Awards made by the Hydrogeological Group since 1996
- 2019: R Brassington
- 2018: P Younger
- 2017: J Dottridge
- 2016: J H Tellam
- 2012: P A Marsland
- 2011: K M Hiscock
- 2010: J Aldrick
- 2009: J A Barker
- 2008: J Chilton
- 2007: R C Harris
- 2005: G Williams
- 2004: G P Jones
- 2002: A C Skinner
- 2000: J D Mather
- 1999: W M Edmunds
- 1997: L Clark
- 1996: M Price
Awards made by the IWE and IWES from 1930 to 1985
| Year |
Author(s) |
Title |
| 1985 |
P G Eccles |
Sulby reservoir, Isle of Man: design and construction |
| 1983 |
K R Rushton, E J Smith and L M Tomlinson |
An improved understanding of flow in a limestone aquifer using field evidence and mathematical models |
| 1982 |
R J E Hawnt, J B Joseph and R J Flavin |
Experience with borehole recharge in the Lee Valley |
| 1981 |
J W Lloyd |
The importance of drift deposit influences on the hydrogeology of major British aquifers |
| 1980 |
K J Edworthy and R A Downing |
Artificial groundwater recharge and its relevance in Britain |
| 1976 |
P E R Lovelock, M Price and T K Tate |
Groundwater conditions in the Penrith Sandstone at Cliburn, Westmorland |
| 1975 |
S S D Foster and R I Crease |
Nitrate pollution of Chalk groundwater in East Yorkshire? A hydrogeological appraisal |
| 1974 |
E Morton* |
A review of geology on the design and construction of impounding dams |
| 1971 |
J Ineson* |
Development of groundwater resources in England and Wales |
| 1969 |
M F Kennard and J L Knill |
Reservoirs on limestone with particular reference to the Cow Green scheme |
| 1957 |
E S Hibber |
The hydrogeology of the Wirral peninsula |
| 1955 |
D Halton Thomson |
Hydrogeological conditions in the Chalk at Compton, West Sussex (papers presented in 1921, 1931, 1938, 1941 and 1954) |
| 1949 |
A L Lyon |
The hydrogeology of the Coventry district |
| 1942 |
F H Edmunds |
Outlines of underground water supply in England and Wales |
| 1930 |
R C S Walters |
The hydrogeology to the Chalk in England |
* denotes posthumous award
Guidance on the submission of nominations for 2020
Nominations should be made via the Whitaker Medal nomination form. This is a competitive process and to avoid potential disappointment the nominee should not be informed that they are being nominated.
The award will be presented at the Group’s AGM in November. From 2020, the medal will be awarded in recognition of longstanding service to the hydrogeology community.
Those nominated do not have to be Fellows of the Society. The Awards Committee relies on the proposers to check the accuracy of the supporting information. By signing the nomination form, the proposers are confirming that, to the best of their knowledge, the details given in support of a nomination for an award are accurate.
The Awards Committee will check the eligibility of nominators and the nominee, including previous awards from the Geological Society. The proposer and seconder must not be from the same institution as the nominee.
All sections of the nomination form must be completed including the brief statement of no more than 500 words on why the nominee merits the award. The form must not exceed two sides, and attachments will not be considered. The form must be finally be signed and dated (electronic signatures are acceptable).
For readability the nomination form must be typed in 10 point Arial font and must be submitted as a Word file.