The Janet Kear Union Medal is awarded by BOU Council to members of the BOU in recognition of distinguished service to the Union.
Nomination deadline: 15 September 2025
The name behind the award
Janet Kear (1933-2004) was President of the BOU from 1990-1994, editor of IBIS (1980-1988), and one the most inspirational ornithologists of her generation. She enjoyed a long career and relationship with the Wildfowl Trust, beginning as a research scientist and becoming its Principal Scientific Officer and Avicultural coordinator. Later in her life she became Assistant Director of the Trust (1988) and Director of its centres (1991). Through her career she helped to save the Hawaiian Goose (the Nene) Branta sandvicensis through a carefully planned breeding programme and co-wrote a monograph for the species. She influenced many young people, some of whom have subsequently risen to the top in ornithology and conservation.
Read Janet Kear’s obituary, published in IBIS
Criteria
Nominees will have made an outstanding contribution to the BOU, which could include one or more of:
- Outstanding or (noteworthy) long service on BOU committees/Council.
- An outstanding achievement that materially impacted on the BOU even as a one off or during a shorter service.
- A significant contribution to the management of IBIS.
- A recognised champion of the BOU.
This award is open to BOU members only, and may include past staff members and individuals outside of the BOU’s formal Council and committee structure.
The award
Recipients receive an engraved Janet Kear Union medal, presented at a BOU or other agreed conference, and an award citation will be published in IBIS.
Award frequency
Nominations are sought annually, though the prize may not be awarded annually if suitable nominations are not received.
Previous recipients
2024 Helen Baker Read IBIS citation
2023 Steve P Dudley Read IBIS citation
2021 Nigel J Crocker Read IBIS citation
2019 Mike G Wilson Read IBIS citation