Northern Science Award
On this page
About the Northern Science Award
The Northern Science Award is presented annually to an individual or a team who have made a significant contribution to advancing knowledge and understanding of the Canadian North. In the spirit of the last International Polar Year (2007-2008), the award recognizes transformations in the way knowledge is produced and shared, and the impact research has on the North, its communities and people.
Laureates of the award receive the Centenary Medal and a $10,000.00 prize.
Until 1997 the award was presented to an individual who made distinguished contributions to northern Canada through their scientific research. In recognition of advancements in how knowledge is produced and shared, the eligibility requirements for the award were reconsidered. They now include nominees who possess and share Indigenous knowledge and, to recognize the value of collaboration and the role played by organizations in the North, teams of people can also be nominated.
Definition of northern science
For the purposes of this award, “northern” is defined as that part of Canada that lies north of sixty degrees north latitude; or south of sixty degrees north latitude but north of the southern limit of the discontinuous permafrost zone. “Science” refers to initiatives that advance our understanding of the natural world and society in all fields of inquiry, using diverse approaches to knowledge production and sharing, including those based upon Indigenous ways and systems of knowing.
Nomination requirements
Anyone can make a nomination of either an individual or a team. The nominator should provide the following to the selection committee:
- A letter of nomination clearly demonstrating the nominee’s accomplishment(s) (in 500 words or less);
- Supporting documentation which can include one or more of the following:
- a curriculum vitae (10 pages maximum length)
- evidence of scientific achievements in northern science, for instance, research briefs, publications, other awards and distinctions, professional and public services, activity descriptions (oral storytelling events or performances) or links to media (e.g., short videos, podcasts) that demonstrate sharing of indigenous knowledge
- evidence of the application of the new knowledge and its impacts
- Three letters of support highlighting the achievement(s).
Submission
Nominations documents must be uploaded to Polar Knowledge Canada’s online application and reporting system using the Northern Science Aware (NSA) – Nomination Form.
Deadline
Monday, October 7, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
Selection committee
A selection committee reviews all nominations and recommends the recipient for the award. Committee members are chosen for their broad understanding of the North and the impacts of science.
Selection process
As part of the selection process, the selection committee will assess nominations on the following combination of achievements:
- wide recognition of the quality and significance of the knowledge created;
- significant contribution to the way northern knowledge is produced and shared;
- training or participation of Northerners in the research, project or initiative; and
- relevance to advancing northern priorities, with an emphasis on knowledge impacts.
Recipients
| Name | Year of award | Field of distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Trevor Bell, PhD, FRSC & SmartICE | 2023 | Community-Based Environmental Monitoring |
| Lucassie Aragutainaq | 2022 | Indigenous ecological knowledge and environmental stewardship |
| David Barber, Ph.D. | 2021 | Environment and Geography |
| Wayne Pollard, Ph.D. | 2020 | Geography |
| Julie Cruikshank, Ph.D. | 2019 | Anthropology |
| Nunavik Research Centre | 2018 | Community-based research |
| John England, Ph.D. | 2017 | Arctic Environmental Change |
| John Smol, Ph.D. | 2016 | Limnology |
| Louis Fortier, PhD | 2015 | Marine Biology |
| Robie Macdonald, Ph.D. | 2014 | Marine geochemistry |
| Gérard Duhaime, Ph.D. | 2013 | Sociology |
| Michel Allard, Ph.D. | 2006 | Geomorphology |
| Donald Russell | 2004 | Caribou biology |
| Charles J. Krebs, Ph.D | 2003 | Ecology |
| Ian Grote Stirling, Ph.D. | 2002 | Polar bear ecology |
| Bernard Saladin d'Anglure Ph.D. | 2001 | Ethnology |
| Donald C. Thomas Ph.D | 2000 | Caribou biology |
| Inullariit Elders' Society | 1998 | Inuit knowledge |
| Graham W. Rowley D.Sc. | 1997 | Science policy |
| Shelagh Grant | 1996 | History |
| Branco Ladanyi Ph.D. | 1995 | Engineering |
| E. Fred Roots Ph.D. | 1994 | Geology, Science policy |
| Josef Svoboda Ph.D. | 1993 | Botany |
| Andrew Taylor Ph.D. | 1992 | Geography |
| George Hobson Ph.D | 1991 | Arctic logistics |
| Thomas Qumaq | 1990 | Linguistics |
| William O. Pruitt, Ph.D. | 1989 | Ecology |
| Guy Mary-Rousselière OMI | 1988 | Archeology |
| Otto Schaefer M.D. | 1987 | Medicine |
| Maxwell J. Dunbar Ph.D. | 1986 | Biological oceanography |
| Louis-Edmond Hamelin Ph.D. | 1985 | Geography |
| Ross Mackay Ph.D. | 1984 | Geomorphology |
Page details
- Date modified: