GSA Awards

Beryl Nashar Award

Outline of the award, its merit and selection criteria

The introduction of this award will address a key area that is not covered by existing GSA awards.

Furthermore, it fall within the strategic objectives of GSA and targets an unrecognised group within the GSA membership base:

  1. Addressing an area that is gaining increasing community and professional recognition.

Presently, there is no GSA award that caters specifically for increasing number of women geologists in Australia and in GSA with the result that all GSA awards in a specific year may not include one woman recipient. Additionally, there is no national GSA award that carries the name of a female geologist who has made significant impact in the geosciences within Australia.  Therefore the award would also be recognising past achievements of women geologists on a national level.

  1. Fields involved

The award should cover women geologists in any field(s) of geology at any stage in her professional career and only be limited by sex, GSA membership and Australian association.

  1. Contributions to the geological community.
    Currently there are no national GSA medals/ awards for women geologists where professional service, inspiration, and scientific achievements are recognised.
    The woman recipient will not only be an accomplished research scientist but someone who has the ability to inspire other geoscientists and promote geoscience.

Award recognition:
The Beryl Nashar Award to recognise contributions of an Australian woman geologist of any age who has made a significant contribution to any field(s) of geology and the geological profession in general.

Selection criteria:
- Substantial contribution in geological field(s) (relative to opportunity), as evidenced by achievements such as impacts in industry, notable scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, community engagement and contributions to geoscience teaching.
- Evidence of impactful service to the geological community.
- Evidence of being a dynamic leader in their field(s), capable of inspiring future geoscientists.
- A member of the GSA.


Beryl Nashar - courtesy (University of Newcastle)

Awardees
2023: Sandra McLaren


2021: Heather Handley
Presented at AESC, 2021