Broader impact
Scientific excellence is a core value of both the Geochemical Society and European Association of Geochemistry, and it is our privilege, by rewarding it, to take a leading role in its definition. In awarding Geochemistry Fellows, our societies believe it is important to recognize the broad spectrum of scientific achievements that advance geochemistry. Excellence should not be limited to major discoveries and ideas that change paradigms, and not solely evaluated on the basis of the number of papers published in high-impact journals; the nominee’s h-index and previously obtained distinctions; nor the amount of funding acquired. Instead, we recognize that scientific eminence, achievement and impact also encompass sustained and proven contributions that create a dynamic environment essential for scientific progress. Examples of these include:
- improvements to infrastructure and techniques;
- capacity building, especially in developing countries or emerging disciplines;
- exceptional editorial contributions;
- curation of sample collections and databases of long-term scientific significance;
- communication of the intrinsic excitement of our field to the general public;
- work with policy makers to ensure that their decisions are grounded in rigorous science;
- training the next generation of geochemists; and advancing ethics, inclusiveness, and social justice in science.
By recognizing the full diversity of the geochemical community and its many varied contributions we hope to provide a wide range of examples that young scientists can strive to emulate.