Nominations/applications are sought from members of the Society for the award of this medal which was founded in 2008 and named in honour of Josephy Henry Collins (1841–1916), mining engineer, mineralogist and geologist, and one of the founding members of the Society. It has been established by the Council of the Mineralogical Society of the UK and Ireland.
The award below is open to individuals to apply directly, or for persons to nominate an individual. We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all applicants/nominees and as such we encourage applications from a diverse range of individuals. In particular, we encourage applications/nominations from those with ‘protected characteristics’. Applications/nominations are not contingent on membership of the Mineralogical Society.
Purpose
The Collins medal will be awarded annually, to recognise scientific excellence in mineralogy and its applications; mineralogy being broadly defined and reflecting the diverse and worldwide interests and membership of the Society with its various specialist groups. Evidence of such excellence should be in the form of the impact of the applicant’s/nominee’s work, their publications, service to industry, outreach/promotion of science, leadership or other service to the community, teaching and work to improve equality, diversity and inclusivity in our science. Nominees/applicants do not have to be Members of the Mineralogical Society or nationals of the UK or Ireland.
Eligibility
If you feel that there are any personal circumstances which you wish to be taken into consideration when evaluating your nomination (e.g. caring responsibilities, periods of family leave, bereavement, ill health or disability), please do so, giving details of the impact on your/the nominee’s career.
How to apply/nominate
Complete this nomination form and submit it, along with a copy of the applicant’s/nominee’s CV. Note that each of the criteria listed above for evidence of excellence, will be considered by the Awards Team when they vote. Please ensure that your nomination refers to as many of these categories as possible. Evidence of such excellence will be in the form of the impact of the applicant’s/nominee’s work, their publications, service to industry, outreach/promotion of science, leadership or other service to the community, teaching and work to improve equality, diversity and inclusivity in our science.
Nominations will remain on the table for three years. Previous recipients of the award, Society Officers, members of Council and members of the Committee (at the time of nomination and adjudication) will not be eligible for the award.
Awards Committee
The Awards Committee will consider each of the applications made using the following criteria (which match those given in the application/nomination form):
Criteria
| A | Impact of nominee’s work |
| B | Publications |
| C | Service to industry |
| D | Outreach/promotion of science |
| E | Leadership/Service |
| F | Teaching |
| G | EDI activities |
Voting will be on the basis of the score in Category A, along with the four top scores in categories B–G.
Nominations are now sought for the 2026 award
Nominations for the 2026 medal should be sent to the Chair of the Awards Committee, at the Society’s office, to arrive not later than 18th April 2025. The nomination should be attached to an e-mail with a title which identifies the name of the award and the name of the nominee. The e-mail address to use is kevin@minersoc.org
The nominations will be considered, and recommendations to Council will be made, by the Society’s Awards Committee.
Previous winners
2023 H.F. Shaw
2022 H. Downes
2021 W. Huff
2020 A. Woolley
2019 B.G.J. Upton
2018 D. Craw
2017 B.W.D. Yardley
2016 M.J. Wilson
2015 E.S. Grew
2014 M. Brown
2013 C.V, Jeans
2012 J.B. Dawson
2011 A.H. Rankin
2010 C.H. Emeleus