Roy Chapman Andrews Society Distinguished Explorer Award

Roy Chapman Andrews Distinguished Explorer Award

Criteria for Consideration

Award description:
The Roy Chapman Andrews Society Distinguished Explorer Award is presented to an explorer/scientist in honor of one of the 20th century's most acclaimed explorers, Roy Chapman Andrews (1884-1960). The award recognizes outstanding achievements in scientific discovery through explorations that offer new insights into previously unknown or poorly known subjects or areas. Awards will be based on both the scientific significance of the exploration and the use of innovative approaches during field work in terms of methods, scope, or subjects of study. The award includes a commemorative statue and a cash prize.

Award criteria:

    Criteria for consideration of award candidates include:
  1. The recipient must have designed, directed, and conducted scientific explorations in the field resulting in discoveries of worldwide significance.
  2. The recipient must have shared these discoveries widely in academic and popular forums.
  3. The recipient's work must be innovative and employ an interdisciplinary, team-oriented approach.
  4. No awards will be made in absentia or posthumously.

Award presenatation:
The award is presented at a public ceremony sponsored by the Society, and hosted by Andrews's alma mater, Beloit College, in his hometown of Beloit, Wisconsin. Awards will be made on or near January 26th, the anniversary of Andrews's birth. Each year's recipient will present an address, appropriate for an audience of the general public, about his or her work and experiences. Travel expenses and accomodations will be provided.

Selection procedure:
Candidates for the Distinguished Explorer Award will be nominated by a selection committee chosen by the Society's Board. The committee will include members of the Roy Chapman Andrews Society, selected past recipients of the award, and other distinguished scientists. On or before January 26th, each committee member will nominate, in writing, at least one candidate who meets the above criteria. These nominations will be reviewed by committee members, then discussed. By mid-April, the committee will recommend from one to three candidates for consideration by the Society's Board. Using this list, the Board will select and approve the year's recipient by no later than its May meeting. The award recipient will be announced on or before July 13th, the anniversary of the discovery of the first nests of dinosaur eggs by the Andrews Gobi expeditions.

Copyright © 2003-2006, Roy Chapman Andrews Society, Ltd. All rights reserved.