Oxford Prof. honored by Royal Medal for new geographical branch

20 / 05 / 2020

By Marwa Nassar - -

Oxford University Professor Heather Viles has been awarded the 2020 Founder’s Medal for her excellence in establishing an entirely new branch in the geographical field; namely biogeomorphology.

Professor Viles – Oxford’s internationally-renowned geomorphologist – has received the Royal Geographical Society’s highly-prestigious Royal Medal for founding this new branch which combines the field of ecology with geomorphology and investigates how buildings and landscapes interact with the world around them.

Royal Medals recognize extraordinary achievement in geographical research, fieldwork, teaching, policy and public engagement.

Professor Viles has researched the impact of acid rain on churches and been engaged in research around the world. But she has also has been involved beyond this world – investigating the possibility of life on the surface of Mars.

On receiving the award, Viles – the Professor of Biogeomorphology and Heritage Conservation and Director of Oxford’s Resilient Buildings and Landscapes laboratory – said, “I was extremely surprised and delighted to receive this award, and very grateful to all the colleagues and students who work with me. I wouldn’t have achieved anything without you.”

Head of the Social Sciences Division, Professor Dame Sarah Whatmore, said, “It is a real pleasure to be able to extend warm congratulations to Professor Viles on the award of this prestigious medal, the highest accolade bestowed by the Royal Geographical Society. It is well deserved recognition of Heather’s outstanding contributions to the field of biogeomorphology and testament to the research leadership we look forward to her bringing to the role of Associate Head of Division (Research).”

Baroness Lynda Chalker, President of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), said, “Professor Viles has been instrumental in establishing the field of biogeomorphology and the development of nature-based solutions for heritage conservation. Her quality research has made significant contributions on topics from extreme landscape evolution to building stone conservation, yet her commitment to the advancement of geographical science is also demonstrated by her leadership. Her championing and support of the discipline among students, academic peers, and the wider public are why Heather is a worthy recipient of the Society’s highest recognition.”

Presented since the 1830s, Royal Medals are among the highest honours of their kind in the world and previous recipients include Sir David Attenborough, Professor Diana Liverman and Lindsey Hilsum.