Morton Medal

Professor Bruce Morton was very active in AMOS, strongly promoting the establishment of AMOS centres in each State, to ensure that our Society was a truly national organisation. In recognition of Bruce’s contribution to geophysical fluid dynamics, his mentoring of a generation of atmospheric scientists and oceanographers, and his strong support and influence on the development of AMOS into a vibrant and national scientific society, AMOS renamed the AMOS Medal as the Morton Medal. Since 2000 this award recognises leadership in meteorology, oceanography, climate and related fields, particularly through education and the development of young scientists, and through the building of research environments in Australia. In particular, the Morton Medal is directed to senior scientists who have made a substantial contribution over many years, advancing the science of meteorology, oceanography and climatology through leadership, mentoring and research management rather than personal research.

Read more about Bruce Morton.

The Morton Medal is given every even year.

The award comprises a medal.

The successful applicant will have worked for a significant part of his or her working life as a scientist in Australia.

Any AMOS member may make a nomination. The nomination package must include:

• A nomination letter of no more than 2 pages addressing the selection criteria
• An accompanying brief CV of the nominee of no more than 2 pages
• Up to three letters of support addressing the selection criteria, each no longer than 2 pages

The total maximum length of the nomination package should not exceed 10 pages. Nominations should not include separate publication lists or copies of published papers. Nominators should be aware of the AMOS Code of Conduct, which promotes diversity of membership and discipline when making nominations. The Award Sub-Committee has limited ability to seek additional information and therefore nomination documents must be complete and provide a full and fair account of each candidate.

1. A major contribution to the advancement of the science of meteorology, oceanography and climatology through leadership extending over many decades in Australia
2. A strong record of mentoring students leading to the development of young scientists
3. A strong record of research management through the building of research environments in Australia
4. Some evidence of service to the promotion of the AMOS mission. Examples include a period of service on AMOS Council as a Member or Office Bearer, service on and promotion of AMOS through Centre Committees and Centre activities, contribution to AMOS activities including organisation of the National Conferences, editorial support for the Society’s journal, preparation of AMOS position papers for public or political dissemination or outreach, etc.

Equal weight is given to each of the selection criteria.

2000 – Ian Simmonds – The University of Melbourne
2002 – Lance Leslie – University of New South Wales
2004 – Matthias Tomczak – Flinders University
2006 – Gary Meyers – University of Tasmania
2008 – Andy Pitman – University of New South Wales
2010 – Neville Smith – Bureau of Meteorology
2012 – Ann Henderson-Sellers – Macquarie University
2014 – David Karoly – University of Melbourne
2016 – John Church – CSIRO
2018 – Christian Jakob – Monash University
2020 – Matthew England – University of New South Wales

Julie Arblaster (Chair)
Sonya Fiddes
Andy Pitman
Richard Matear