Since 2015, the ACRS awards a prestigious medal to recognise high achievers in the research and conservation of Australian coral reefs. The ACRS Medal is awarded in sequential years in the following categories, based on an individual’s contribution to science and conservation of Australian coral reefs:
- Early Career Researcher (< 10 years since completing PhD). Next award 2018
- Established Researcher (> 10 years since completing PhD). Next award 2019
- Science Education and Conservation. Next award 2021
* In 2020 there will be no ACRS medal as it is a ICRS year
The ACRS medal will be presented at the Annual ACRS Conference and the awardee should give a plenary lecture within 2 years of the award.
2018 Early Career Researcher – Nominations closed Feb 9th 2018
ACRS medal recipients
2018 Assoc Prof Tracy Ainsworth
(Early Career Researcher Medal)
Associate Professor Tracy Ainsworth is a Scientia Fellow at in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of New South Wales. Tracy’s research focuses on the impact of environmental stress on reef-building corals, their host-microbe interactions, symbioses and disease outbreaks.
2017 Dr Russell Kelley
(Science Advocacy Medal)
Dr. Russell Kelley is a science communication consultant and program director of the Coral Identification Capacity Building Program. Russell’s output spans scientific papers, book chapters, educational tools and television productions.
2016 Prof Terry Hughes
(Established Researcher Medal)
Dr. Terry Hughes is the Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. His research focuses on the linkages between the ecology of reefs and their importance for societies and economies.
2015 Dr Nick Graham
(Early Career Researcher Medal)
Dr. Nick Graham is now a Professor at Lancaster University, UK. He tackles large-scale ecological and social-ecological coral reef issues under the overarching themes of climate change, human use and resilience.