Lois M. Jones Award for Science Access, Engagement and Communication

About the Award

Lois M. Jones (1935-2000) was a geochemist from The Ohio State University who led the first all-women research expedition to Antarctica in 1969 and became one of the first women to reach the South Pole. In recognition of her trailblazing work; to recollect the advances that have been made; and to acknowledge continued work to increase access within the sciences, engagement with new communities, and communication to different audiences, the Byrd Center Education and Outreach Team has established the Lois M. Jones Award for Science Access, Engagement, and Communication. 

Nominations

Any member of the Byrd Center may be nominated who has done significant work to advance one or more of the following causes in any scientific field, including but not limited to polar and climate research:

• Increasing access of underrepresented communities to science education, opportunities, and careers.
• Engaging new communities in the research enterprise in ways that may include but are not limited to collecting data, co-producing products, or utilizing findings. 
• Improving or expanding communication of scientific information, research findings, or applied knowledge to audiences in formats that may include but are not limited to print, spoken word, and digital media.

Nominees should also exemplify the following criteria:

• Genuine collaborator who wants to share their knowledge end experiences with other Center members.
• Tenacity in overcoming obstacles and connecting people. 
• Be the founder of a new initiative/project or expander of an existing initiative/project that meets the needs of a group/community. 
• Be a current or former members of the Byrd Center (including faculty, researchers, staff, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, alumni, retired members, etc.).

This award will be given annually. Priority will be given to senior members (more than 15 years experience) in even numbered years and early career members (15 or fewer years experience) in odd numbered years.

For 2024, nomination letters should be submitted to Laura Kissel, Byrd Center Archives Curator, at kissel.4@osu.edu by 5 pm on Friday, October 25, 2024. Letters should clearly articulate how the nominee meets the criteria listed above, including specific examples. 

Nominees from last year who did not win the award will be automatically considered again this year. Nominators are welcome to submit an updated nomination but are not required to do so.

Award Recipients