AASP–The Palynological Society has several awards that recognize outstanding service to the Society or to the discipline of palynology.
The basic nomination procedure is similar for most awards (main letter of nomination accompanied by letters of support, which describe how the nominee meets the award criteria).
Details of the procedures for each award can be found below. The deadline for submission of society awards nominations is March 1 of each year.
Please submit your nomination to:
Awards Committee Chair:
Marie L. Thomas, Ph.D. (Houston, USA)
aaspawards@gmail.com
- Awarded item is a plaque containing the AASP–TPS logo in the form of a medal
- To be awarded by the Chair of the Awards Committee
This newly established award recognizes individuals in their mid-career who have made important contributions to the science of palynology, and who show the promise of continued excellence in the discipline. Typically, nominees will have no more than 15 years experience beyond their MSc. or PhD graduation (excluding time spent in industry or on leave).
Nomination Procedure
Nominations for the AASP–TPS Medal for Scientific Merit and Outstanding Promise are submitted to the Chair of the Awards Committee, who then makes a recommendation to the President. Nominations are due March 1, in time for consideration at the mid-year meeting of the Board of Directors, for presentation at the following annual meeting. The Chair distributes the nomination packet to the Awards Committee members for consideration. The packet must comprise:
- A letter of nomination summarizing reasons for nomination, and listing supporting documentation
- Several additional letters of support (at least three from AASP–TPS members) emphasizing the candidate’s qualifications, palynological-research history, role in the development of palynology, and other measures of merit and promise
- The candidate’s curriculum vitae including education, employment, and publications
The nomination packet should also include a letter of dedication, which will appear in the Newsletter and in Palynology, and be read at the award ceremony during the luncheon of the annual meeting.
- Awarded item is a plaque or certificate
- To be awarded by the AASP–TPS President
This award is given by the Board of Directors to individuals who have made extensive and long-standing contributions to The Palynological Society. It is given infrequently to AASP–TPS members for a lifetime of service to the society. The nomination of candidates and decisions are made within the board.
- Awarded item is an engraved plaque
- To be awarded by the Chair of the Awards Committee
This medal recognizes leaders in palynological education. Nominees are expected to have considerable experience and accomplishment in aspects of academic education involving palynology.
Nomination Procedure
Nominations for the AASP–TPS Medal for Excellence in Education are submitted to the Chair of the Awards Committee, who then makes recommendations to the President. They are due March 1, in time for consideration at the mid-year meeting of The Palynological Society’s Board of Directors, for presentation at the following annual meeting. The Chair distributes the nomination packet to the Awards Committee members for consideration. The packet must comprise:
- A letter of nomination summarizing reasons for nomination, and listing supporting documentation.
- Several additional letters of support (at least three from AASP–TPS members) emphasizing the candidate’s service to the society, and detailing their career in palynological instruction (including classes and seminars offered, numbers of students trained in palynology, students with careers in palynology, and other contributions to palynological education including texts or other educational materials).
The nomination packet should also include a letter of dedication, which will appear in the Newsletter and in Palynology, and be read at the award ceremony during the luncheon of the annual meeting.
The criteria evaluated by the committee include:
- The impact of the candidate’s career on the discipline of palynology.
- Length of service: number of classes and seminars taught.
- Number of students instructed: undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students
- Palynology textbooks and other educational literature published
- Administrative duties at educational institutions
- Awarded item is an engraved plaque
- To be awarded by the Chair of the Awards Committee
This award recognizes individuals who have generously supported the AASP–TPS with their work and resources over several years, and whose efforts have advanced the society. Typically, recipients have held society office, participated in committees, or dealt with publications or meetings.
Nomination Procedure
Nominations for the AASP–TPS Distinguished Service Award are submitted to the Chair of the Awards Committee, who then makes recommendations to the President. They are due March 1, in time for consideration at the mid-year meeting of the Board of Directors, for presentation at the following annual meeting. The Chair distributes the nomination packet to the Awards Committee members for consideration. The packet must comprise:
- A letter of nomination summarizing reasons for nomination, and listing supporting documentation
- Several additional letters of support (at least three from AASP–TPS members) emphasizing the candidate’s service to the society
- History of service to the society, listing dates of offices held, committee memberships, AASP–TPS publications, and other services
The nomination packet should also include a letter of dedication, which will appear in the Newsletter and in Palynology, and be read at the award ceremony during the luncheon of the annual meeting.
- Awarded item is a plaque containing the AASP–TPS logo in the form of a medal
- To be awarded by the Chair of the Awards Committee
This is the society’s highest award and has primarily been bestowed upon individuals who have made fundamental contributions to the development of the discipline of palynology. Recipients should have a substantial research record in the field.
Nomination Procedure
Nominations for the AASP–TPS Medal for Scientific Excellence are submitted to the Chair of the Awards Committee, who then makes a recommendation to the President. Nominations are due March 1, in time for consideration at the mid-year meeting of the Board of Directors, for presentation at the following annual meeting. The Chair distributes the nomination packet to the Awards Committee members for consideration. The packet must comprise:
- A letter of nomination summarizing reasons for nomination, and listing supporting documentation.
- Several additional letters of support (at least three from AASP–TPS members) emphasizing the candidate’s qualifications, palynological-research history, their role in the development of palynology, and other measures of “excellence”.
- The candidate’s curriculum vitae including education, employment, and publications.
The nomination packet should also include a letter of dedication, which will appear in the Newsletter and in Palynology, and be read at the award ceremony during the luncheon of the annual meeting.
- Awarded item is a certificate signed by the President and Board of Directors
- To be awarded by the Chair of the Awards Committee
This is the oldest AASP–TPS award, with the first awards dating to 1975. This award is either bestowed upon individuals who have made a fundamental contribution to palynology, or to people who have given devoted service to the AASP–TPS (or both). These may be persons who are not members of the society.
Nomination Procedure
Nominations for Honorary Life Membership are submitted to the Chair of the Awards Committee, who then makes recommendations to the President. They are due March 1, in time for consideration at the mid-year meeting of the AASP–TPS Board of Directors, for presentation at the following annual meeting. The Chair distributes the nomination packet to the Awards Committee members for consideration. The packet must comprise:
- A letter of nomination summarizing reasons for nomination, and listing supporting documentation.
- Several additional letters of support (at least three from AASP–TPS members) emphasizing the candidate’s qualifications, palynological-research history, contributions to the society, and other measures of “excellence”.
- The candidate’s curriculum vitae including education, employment, and publications.
The nomination packet should also include a letter of dedication, which will appear in the Newsletter and in Palynology, and be read at the award ceremony at the luncheon of the annual meeting.