The RSV Research Medal
The RSV Medal for Excellence in Scientific Research
In its Centenary year (1959) the Royal Society of Victoria instituted a Medal for Excellence in Scientific Research. The Award consists of a Silver Medal, which is awarded annually for scientific research in one of four categories that rotate from year to year.
Nominations are invited for the Royal Society of Victoria Medal for Excellence in Scientific Research 2023 in Category III: Earth Sciences. This category includes research in the disciplines of Geology, Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geophysics, Planetary Physics, Meteorology, Oceanography, Physical Geography, Palaeontology and related sciences.
The last Medal recipient in this category was Professor Andrew Pitman.
Award criteria:
The award of the Medal is based on demonstration of the candidate’s excellence and leadership in scientific research. The candidate’s research work shall have been carried out in Australia (including its territories), or on Australia, with preference for work done in Victoria, or on Victoria.
Nomination:
- Nominations open on 31 March, 2023 and close at 5pm on 31 July, 2023.
- Candidates cannot nominate themselves.
- Members of scientific societies, academies, universities and research institutes are invited to make nominations.
The nomination statement should demonstrate the candidate’s:
- Exemplary publication track record during the ten year period from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2022. The track record will be judged on papers published and/or accepted for publication in refereed international journals. Work outside the ten year period will not be considered, subject to due consideration of career breaks for primary care responsibilities.
- Consistent excellence in innovation or ground-breaking research and patents, incorporating novel scientific techniques and methods – described in plain language.
- Impact of research beyond publication and citation rates. This could relate to advancing the discipline generally, changing public practice, influencing public discussion and opinion, or demonstrating direct interventions and improvement in management, exploration methodology, product performance, biodiversity conservation, patient outcomes etc.
- Exemplary leadership in science incorporating evidence of: a major contribution to the public promotion of science, advocacy for science, partnership building, collaborations, role model and influence across the scientific community.
Career record relative to opportunity will be considered by the assessors. Nominators should indicate whether the nominee is an early career researcher, has had career interruptions, or has had extended periods of part-time employment. For multi-authored publications, the contribution of the applicant should be indicated.
Submission:
The submission should consist of:
The nomination statement, signed by the nominator, covering points 1 to 3 above. This must be in Times New Roman, 11 point, and no more than three A4 pages please.
A brief (no more than five A4 pages) Curriculum Vitae of the candidate. A list of publications, attached in supplement, should be constrained to the ten year period from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2022.
The nomination submission should in the form of a single PDF file sent via email, attention to the Chief Executive Officer, at rsv@rsv.org.au
Conditions:
The Royal Society of Victoria reserves the right to seek independent referees in considering the nominations received, and not to consider nominations that do not comply with the nomination format or do not address the award criteria.
If no candidate of sufficient merit is nominated, no award need be made in a particular year.
No posthumous award will be made.
The Award:
The successful candidate will receive an engraved silver medal which is presented by the Society’s patron, the Governor of Victoria or, in the event of Her Excellency’s unavailability, a senior leader of Victoria’s science community.
The medallist will be required to present a lecture to the Society Members and guests on the evening of Thursday, 7th December 2023 at which the Medal will be presented.
Enquiries: CEO, The Royal Society of Victoria, 8 La Trobe Street, Melbourne 3000 Telephone: (03) 9663 5259, or via email.
Future Awards will be categorised as follow:
Category IV: Physical Sciences (2024)
Astronomy, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and related sciences.
Category I: Biological Sciences (non-human) (2025)
Agriculture, Biochemistry, Botany, Cell Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Zoology, and related areas of non-human biological science.
Category II: Biomedical and Health Sciences (2026)
Genetics, Immunology, Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, Pathology, Neurology, Epidemiology, Endocrinology, Radiology, Microbiology, Medical Parasitology, Nuclear Medicine, and related human sciences.
Category III: Earth Sciences (2027)
Geology, Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geophysics, Planetary Physics, Meteorology, Oceanography, Physical Geography, Palaeontology and related sciences.
Past Winners:
- 2022 - Prof Rachelle Buchbinder
- 2021 - Prof Andrew Ball
- 2020 - Prof Bronwyn Fox
- 2019 - Prof Andrew Pitman AO
- 2018 - Prof Anthony Burkitt & Prof Jamie Rossjohn
- 2017 - Prof Trevor Lithgow
- 2016 - Prof Lloyd Hollenberg
- 2015 - Prof David Karoly
- 2014 - Prof Jane Visvader
- 2013 - Prof Mark Burgman
- 2012 - Prof Frank Caruso
- 2011 - Adj Prof John Long
- 2010 - Prof Levon Khachigian
- 2009 - Prof Geoffrey McFadden
- 2008 - Prof Steven Prawer
- 2007 - Prof Matthew England
- 2006 - Prof Samuel F. Berkovic
- 2005 - Prof Pauline Y. Ladiges
- 2004 - No award
- 2003 - Prof Peter L. Dyson
- 2002 - Assoc Prof Brian Finlayson
- 2001 - Prof Alan F. Cowman
- 2000 - Dr Prem L. Bhalla
- 1999 - Prof Alan M. Bond
- 1998 - No award
- 1997 - Prof Henry G. Burger
- 1996 - Prof Bruce E. Kemp
- 1995 - Dr Paul A. Pearce
- 1994 - Prof Andrew Gleadow
- 1993 - Dr David Beardsell
- 1992 - Prof Thomas W. Healy
- 1991 - Dr G.E. Williams
- 1990 - Dr N. Gough
- 1989 - Prof Herbert H Bolotin & Dr P Hannaford
- 1988 - Dr J.M. Powell
- 1987 - Assoc Prof D.B. Webby
- 1986 - Dr S.J. Redman
- 1985 - Prof D.V. Boger & Dr P.M. Colman
- 1984 - Prof A.E. Ringwood
- 1983 - Prof A.A. Powell & Prof P.B. Dixon
- 1982 - Dr G.F. Mitchell
- 1981 - Dr R.D.B. Fraser
- 1980 - Dr J.M. Bowler
- 1979 - Prof M.J.D. White
- 1978 - No award
- 1977 - Dr W.F. Budd, Prof R.D. Brown & Prof B.H.J. McKellar
- 1976 - Prof R.L. Specht
- 1975 - Prof R. Taft
- 1974 - Dr A.W. Snyder
- 1973 - Dr D. Metcalf & Dr J.H. Willis
- 1972 - Prof C.D. Rowley
- 1971 - Prof A. Baklien & Dr B. Dawson
- 1970 - Prof G. Burnstock
- 1969 - Dr J.S. Deeble & Dr R.B. Scotton
- 1968 - Dr A. Walsh
- 1967 - Mr E.D. Gill
- 1966 - No award
- 1965 - Prof K.E. Bullen
- 1964 - Prof Sir Gustav Nossal
- 1963 - Prof D.J. Mulvaney
- 1962 - No award
- 1961 - No award
- 1960 - No award
- 1959 - Dr G. Baker
The Phillip Law Postdoctoral Award
This award was made possible from the generous bequest to the Society from the estate of the late Dr Phillip Garth Law AC. Recognising excellence in scientific research by an Early Career Researcher and originally awarded in the physical sciences, from 2021 this award has begun to cycle through four different categories of science each year.
In 2023, the award is open to suitably qualified post-doctoral candidates in Category IV: Biological Sciences (non-human). This category incorporates Agriculture, Biochemistry, Botany, Cell Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Zoology, and related areas of non-human biological science.
Eligibility:
Application is open to candidates between three to seven years (at the deadline of application) of the awarding of their doctorate from a university in the State of Victoria, Australia. Applicants must either be an Australian Citizen or have Australian Resident Status. The Society will consider adjusting the seven year window for candidates who have spent time working as primary carers following their PhD – if this applies to you, please contact the Society to discuss eligibility.
Applications:
Open on 1 June, 2023 and close at 5pm on 31 July, 2023.
Candidates should nominate themselves. The application should consist of:
- A brief Curriculum Vitae (no more than four A4 pages) including full contact details of the applicant.
- Proof of citizenship or residency status (a copy of the applicant’s birth certificate, citizenship certificate or certificate of permanent residency status).
- A statement (up to three A4 pages) summarising the applicant’s research contribution and including the names and contact details of two referees.
- A list of publications in peer reviewed journals. For multi-authored publications, the contribution of each author should be indicated.
Submission:
Should be in the form of a single PDF file sent via email and marked for the attention of the Chief Executive Officer at rsv@rsv.org.au .
Conditions:
The Royal Society of Victoria reserves the right not to consider applications which do not comply with the above requirements and the right not to make an award if no suitable candidate applies.
The Award:
The successful candidate will receive an award certificate and a prize of $3000.
The Phillip Law Postdoctoral Lecture:
The winner will be required to present their work to a special meeting of the Royal Society of Victoria at a public lecture scheduled for the evening Thursday, 23 November 2023. This will be professionally filmed and shared online. If COVID-19 conditions prevent the event from proceeding, then prize winner will deliver a pre-recorded, 45 minute talk on their research, ideally to be professionally filmed at the RSV’s headquarters, then join an online meeting of the Royal Society of Victoria and guests for the screening and subsequent discussion.
Please note that the Society does not pay travel expenses to Melbourne for the purpose of filming or presenting the lecture.
Future Awards will be categorised as follow:
Category I: Physical Sciences (2024)
Astronomy, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and related sciences.
Category II: Biomedical and Health Sciences (2025)
Genetics, Immunology, Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, Pathology, Neurology, Epidemiology, Endocrinology, Radiology, Microbiology, Medical Parasitology, Nuclear Medicine, and related human sciences.
Category III: Earth Sciences (2026)
Geology, Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geophysics, Planetary Physics, Meteorology, Oceanography, Physical Geography, Palaeontology and related sciences.
Category IV: Biological Sciences (non-human) (2027)
Agriculture, Biochemistry, Botany, Cell Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Zoology, and related areas of non-human biological science.
Past Winners:
The Phillip Law Award was made for the first time in 2013 and the inaugural winner was Dr Marcus Kitchen for his significant contribution in the field of lung imaging, where for several years he has been investigating novel X-ray imaging techniques for studying lung development.
The winner of the 2014 Award (the inaugural Physical Sciences recipient) was Dr Madhu Bhaskaran for her microtechnology work, seeking to harness the mechanical energy from user interactions with electronics, generating electricity through pressure on crystals to effectively power devices with the user’s own interface activity.
The 2015 Award winner was Dr Marcus Doherty for his work in theoretical and collaborative research with the ANU’s Laser Physics Centre, investigating the properties of colour centres in semiconductors and their applications in quantum technologies, particularly quantum computing.
The winner of the 2016 Award was Dr Samintha Perera for her work in rock mechanics, coal mining and “slop stability,” CO2 sequestration and unconventional oil and gas extractions.
The winner of the 2017 Award was Dr Kaye Morgan for her work in novel soft-tissue, multi-modal x-ray imaging techniques.
The joint winners of the 2018 Award were Dr Sumeet Walia, for his work in nanoelectronics and mimicking neural processes with semiconductors, microchips and miniaturised energy sources, and Dr Nishar Hameed, for his work in producing smart, flexible and rapid-cure composites for integration to formable, fibre-reinforced composites, concrete preforms and graphene nanocomposites.
The winner of the 2019 Award was Dr Rajesh Ramanathan for his interdisciplinary work interfacing nanotechnology and biology, including sensor processes and diagnostics, antimicrobial and wound management and imaging methods to create a remarkable diversity of new biomedical applications and products.
The winner of the 2020 Award was Dr Nisa Salim for her work developing porous carbon materials, enabling the remarkable invention of “structural batteries and supercapacitors” – lightweight, high-tensile structural components of vehicles and devices that also serve to store and route energy for use by these same devices.
The winner of the 2021 Award (the inaugural Biomedical & Health Sciences recipient) was Dr Christopher Draper-Joyce for his work in therapeutic drug discovery through solving the structures of G Protein-Coupled Receptor G protein complexes, a family of cell surface receptors, with new methodologies, leading to applications in human dopamine control, novel antiviral agents, and other domains where techniques in pharmacology and structural biology can combine to deliver exciting new outcomes.
The winner of the 2022 Award (the inaugural Earth Sciences recipient) was Dr Ashleigh Hood for her work in mapping ancient ediacaran marine reefs around the world to better understand how the interaction of early life forms on land and in the seas drove the oxygenation of Earth’s oceans and atmosphere, concluding that the second major spike in oxygen that delivered our modern ecosphere correlated with the evolution of trees and extensive root systems 380 million years ago, in the Devonian period of the Paleozoic era.
Young Scientist Research Prizes
The Royal Society of Victoria has established four prestigious, competitive prizes open to post-graduate, doctoral students in all areas of the Biomedical & Health Sciences, Biological Sciences (Non-human), Earth Sciences and Physical Sciences.
The Society is grateful for the generosity of our members, past and present, in supporting these prizes. The Biological Sciences (Non-human) prize and Earth Sciences Prize are supported by the legacy of previous Presidents, Edmund D Gill and Neil Archbold respectively.
The category of Biomedical and Health Sciences includes the fields of Endocrinology, Epidemiology, Genetics, Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, Immunology, Medical Parasitology, Microbiology, Neurology, Nuclear Medicine, Pathology, Pharmacology, Radiology and related human sciences apart from clinical trials.
The category of Biological Sciences (Non-human) includes the fields of Agriculture, Biochemistry, Botany, Cell Biology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Forestry, Zoology, and related non-human science.
The category of Earth Sciences includes the fields of Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geology, Geophysics, Planetary Physics, Meteorology, Oceanography, Palaeontology, Physical Geography and related sciences.
The category of Physical Sciences includes the fields of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, all branches of Engineering and related sciences.
Eligibility:
Applications are open to candidates enrolled in the final year of their doctoral candidature at universities in the State of Victoria at the time of application, and who are members of the Royal Society of Victoria. Candidates who have submitted, or will submit their final thesis before 31 May 2023 are ineligible.
In order to promote the interests of young people starting their first careers, we are limiting applications to doctoral candidates under 40 years of age.
Applicants who are not already members are required to join the Society (see below). RSV student membership for eligible applicants in 2023 is free.
Applications:
Applications for the 2023 round open on 1 April and close at 5:00pm on 16 June, 2023 (extended from original closing date of 31 May).
Candidates should nominate themselves.
The application for a prize should consist of:
- An application form (incorporating your extended abstract) to be submitted electronically, then printed (from your confirmation email), co-signed by your Supervisor or Head of Department (to ratify your contribution to your doctoral research, particularly if it is a team research project) and submitted along with your RSV Membership Form YSRP 2023 (free student membership of the RSV for the balance of the year).
- An extended abstract presenting a succinct summary of your research work. This is incorporated in the body of the application form to guide structure and length, and includes a title, rationale for the study, aims, methods, results, conclusions and significance, indicating why your research is important and of scientific interest.
Apply Now
Submission:
Please complete the 2023 Application form online, here.
Submission of the prize application form and abstract should be co-signed with your supervisor and received as a single file via email marked for the attention of the Chief Executive Officer at rsv@rsv.org.au before the closing time and date, being 5:00pm on 16 June, 2023 (extended from original closing date of 31 May). All late submissions will be deemed ineligible.
Conditions:
If you are not already a member of the Royal Society of Victoria, please submit (as a separate document) a completed Royal Society of Victoria Membership Application Form for 2023 Prize applicants. Student membership for all eligible Prize applicants will be free of charge for the remainder of 2023.
The Royal Society of Victoria may re-classify the field of an application if it fits best in a field other than the one nominated by the applicant.
The Society reserves the right not to consider applications that do not comply with the above requirements and not to make an award if there is no suitable candidate.
Judging:
On the basis of the written abstracts, the judges will select a short list of two candidates in each of the four fields of Biomedical and Health, Biological (Non-human), Earth Sciences and Physical Sciences.
The award is based on demonstration of the applicant’s excellence in scientific research, ability to communicate scientific information clearly and succinctly to an audience of scientists and members of the general public on their particular research field and to answer questions from the audience.
Each of the short-listed candidates will be required to give a 10 minute oral presentation at the Society’s premises, followed by 5 minutes of discussion with a general audience of scientists and members at the Society. Proceedings will be livestreamed during National Science Week on the evening of Thursday, 17th August, 2023, commencing from 6:00pm. Finalists who are unable to present cannot be considered for an award. Attendance at the presentations are open to supervisors, fellow students, friends and families as well as Members of the Society and the general public.
The winners will be judged and announced on the night, when the prize and a certificate will be presented by the Society’s President.
The Awards:
The successful candidates will each receive a certificate and a prize of $1000. Winners will also receive free student membership of the Royal Society of Victoria for a period of two years and the opportunity to participate in the Society’s programs and access our professional networks for mentoring and collaboration as desired. The runners-up each receive a certificate and a prize of $500 plus free student membership of the Royal Society of Victoria for a period of two years.
Enquiries:
Chief Executive Officer, The Royal Society of Victoria, 8 La Trobe Street, Melbourne 3000 Telephone: (03) 9663 5259 or email .
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