AOGS Axford Medal
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AOGS established the Axford Medal in honour of Professor W. Ian Axford and his vision of academic excellence and unselfish scientific cooperation in Asia and Oceania. Professor Axford was one of the principal architects of AOGS before the Society was formally established in 2004. He developed fundamental theories concerning the structure of the magnetosphere, the origin of the solar wind and cosmic-ray particle acceleration, and promoted international cooperation across the geosciences.
The AOGS Axford Medal recognises an individual for outstanding achievements in geoscience, including planetary and solar-system science, together with unselfish cooperation and leadership in Asia and Oceania.
| Established | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Policy last revised | 2026 |
| Recognition | Medal, travel-support package and Annual Meeting registration waiver |
| Presented | At an AOGS Annual General Meeting, usually during the General Assembly on the opening day |
Benefits & Presentation
- A fixed package of USD 2,500 is provided on a reimbursement basis towards airfare, accommodation and other travel-related expenses.
- The recipient's registration fee is waived for the Annual Meeting at which the medal is presented.
- If awarded, the medal is conferred at an AOGS Annual General Meeting, usually during the General Assembly on the opening day.
Selection Criteria
The Awards Committee evaluates and ranks nominees against the following criteria, each carrying equal weight:
- Consistent leadership in national and international research programmes.
- A sustained record of high-impact peer-reviewed publications.
- Demonstrated impact of the nominee's research.
- Evidence of broad recognition of the nominee's research contributions among peers.
- A track record of nurturing early-career scientists through sustained research-group mentorship.
Nomination Package
The complete package must be submitted through MARS and must include:
- A nomination letter of no more than two pages demonstrating the nominee's outstanding contributions to geoscience, including planetary and solar-system science.
- A selected-publications list of no more than two pages describing the nominee's most impactful works and identifying representative peer-reviewed papers that substantiate the case for the medal.
- A curriculum vitae of approximately two pages covering degrees, employment, honours, memberships and service to the scientific community.
- A one-page statement from the nominee summarising the principal scientific impact of the works identified in the selected-publications list and the nominee's contributions to AOGS activities.
- Three supporting reference letters. At least two must come from outside the nominee's home country or region to demonstrate broad international recognition.
Evaluation & Approval
Calls for nominations should be announced at least nine months before the next AOGS Annual General Meeting. The Awards Committee evaluates and ranks the nominees against the approved criteria and submits its recommendations and ranked list to Council at least three months before the Annual General Meeting for consideration and approval.
The General Rules for AOGS Award Nominations apply.
History
The Axford Medal was established in 2010. Its policy and nomination requirements were revised in 2026. Superseded versions should be retained in the policy archive and should not appear as current requirements.