Whitaker & Younger 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 on the Whitaker Medal nomination form (HG1) and the Younger Medal nomination form (HG2).
The Whitaker Medal will be awarded in recognition outstanding long-term contribution to the Hydrogeological Community. Successful nominees are likely to be well known names who have provided support to the community in many ways over many years, but don’t have to be necessarily immediately approaching retirement!
Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified of their nomination so to avoid potential disappointment the nominees should not be informed that they are being nominated.
The awards will be presented at the Women in Hydrogeology event at Burlington House on 28th February.
The Younger Medal will be awarded in recognition of outstanding contribution to the Hydrogeological Community by means of a specific activity (recognition of career length service will be given via the Whitaker Medal). The award recognises outstanding contribution; examples of what constitute an outstanding contribution might include:
- Authorship of a landmark paper
- Authorship of a book (either educational or a research volume)
- Key role in bringing hydrogeology to the wider community (e.g. work in overseas development of education)
- Development of a significant new piece of equipment of new technique
It is expected that successful recipients could be at any stage within their career (and nominations of either the Whitaker or Younger medals would not necessarily preclude nomination of the other). The award is likely to recognise a specific piece of work undertaken in the relatively recent past.
Unlike the Whitaker Medal, runners up will be notified of their nominations.