AOGS Wing Ip Medal

AOGS established the Wing Ip Medal in honour of Professor Wing Huen Ip, a world-renowned astronomer whose work spans cometary physics, solar-system plasma physics, the origin and formation of the solar system, and planetary atmospheres and exospheric systems.

Professor Ip was a founding member of AOGS and served as AOGS President from 2002 to 2006. He has continued to support the Society and to advance its regional and international geoscience outreach.

The Wing Ip Medal recognises sustained, unselfish cooperation and leadership in geoscience, particularly in Asia and Oceania.

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.

Selection Criteria

Nominees must satisfy both criteria (a) and (b), at least one of criteria (c) or (d), and at least one of criteria (e) or (f):

1. A substantial leadership role in scientific societies that promote geoscience. Mandatory.
2. Sustained engagement with AOGS. Mandatory.
3. Leadership roles in national and international scientific activities that promote geoscience.
4. Sustained efforts to foster international collaboration through research projects, workshops or related activities.
5. Mentorship of graduate students and early-career geoscientists.
6. Contributions to communicating geoscientific knowledge to a broad audience.

Nomination Package

The complete package must be submitted through MARS and must include:

1. A nomination letter of no more than two pages demonstrating the nominee's outstanding cooperation and leadership in geoscience, including planetary and solar-system science, in Asia and Oceania.
2. A selected-publications list of no more than two pages describing the nominee's major publications and including evidence that substantiates the case for the medal.
3. A curriculum vitae of approximately two pages covering degrees, employment, honours, memberships and service to the scientific community.
4. 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.
5. 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 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 Wing Ip Medal was established in 2018. 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.