Nomination Categories

Nominees must have a sustained record of achievement in one or more Fellowship Nomination Categories. To demonstrate achievement, nominators typically should make compelling arguments in two (2) to three (3) elements of the selected Nomination Category(ies) (see the examples listed under each Nomination Category). In rare cases, Fellowship may be awarded to nominees with proof of exemplary achievement in just one category and element. While there is no limit on the number of Nomination Categories that can be selected, because nomination letters are limited to two (2) pages, nominations based on more than one (1) Nomination Category or that focus on more than three (3) elements within that category may be unsuccessful.

GSA awards Fellowships to members who demonstrate a sustained record of scientific accomplishment in areas ranging from the discovery and advancement of new geoscience principles and insights, to the application of existing ideas for the use of natural resources (petroleum, minerals, and water), to the safety and wellness of humans and the natural environment.

Examples of contributions that demonstrate the requisite level of scientific achievement may be chosen from the following elements:

• Publications (Journal): Publication in well-regarded, peer-reviewed journals that resolve outstanding geoscience questions or open new areas of geoscience investigation. While numeric scores of publication impact are helpful, narratives of how specific publications have affected other geoscientists and their work can prove more insightful.
• Maps: Geologic maps that reveal seminal geologic processes or have been used to address resource or public safety problems on a regional or in a generalized way that can be applied to other regions.
• Publications (Secondary): Publication in non-independently peer-reviewed venues such as government reports, proprietary reports, and patents. In these cases, clear narrative descriptions of why and how these publications have broad significance need to be presented. Numerical indices, such as the number of licenses generated from a patent, are acceptable.
• Geoscience Applications: Application of established geoscience principles in novel or insightful ways that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries (e.g., biology or engineering) to solve multiple problems in, for example, resource development or public safety and health. Examples of such projects include: (a) more sustainable use of limited freshwater resources; and (b) discovery and development of earth resources using novel methods. Public safety and health may include projects related to natural hazards resilience (e.g., earthquakes or landslides) or environmental contamination (e.g., groundwater contamination). In all cases, projects must have resulted in action to address the problems defined. This often requires engagement of a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including other scientific disciplines, lay and professional participants, government regulators, and differing cultures, resulting in solutions that address a wide range of needs.
• Data Archives: Contributions to and use of accessible and well-documented digital data archives that are crucial to promote a geoscience legacy.
• Computer Applications: Computer applications that promote multi-disciplinary research and applied geoscience projects.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Geoscience research or applications that engage participants beyond the core disciplinary science are crucial for robust evolution of the geosciences. Consistent engagement with participants from different backgrounds with different points of view, and promotion and application of ways to incorporate many perspectives to achieve a better geoscience result.

Excellence in teaching and mentoring of students and colleagues is essential to the geosciences. This may take place in formal education venues (K-12, 2- and 4-year colleges, graduate schools), settings outside the traditional classroom (field, lab, shipboard, drill site, etc.), and/or industry and agency-based training programs.

Examples of success in training and mentoring may include the following elements:

• Award Recognition: Receipt of teaching awards from home institutions and/or professional groups.
• Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Geoscience Education: A documented track record of success in recruiting and retaining students from groups underrepresented in the geosciences and/or placing students/colleagues into graduate programs and/or careers. Advocacy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion beyond an individual’s sphere of influence is also valuable.
• Industry Training: Sustained record of providing superior training in applied programs, short courses, project management, leadership, etc.
• Educational Materials: Creation of high-impact and widely disseminated educational materials (textbooks, laboratory manuals, short-course guides, field guides, etc.)

Excellence in teaching and mentoring of students and colleagues is essential to the geosciences. This may take place in formal education venues (K-12, 2- and 4-year colleges, graduate schools), settings outside the traditional classroom (field, lab, shipboard, drill site, etc.), and/or industry and agency-based training programs.

Examples of success in training and mentoring may include the following elements:

• Award Recognition: Receipt of teaching awards from home institutions and/or professional groups.
• Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Geoscience Education: A documented track record of success in recruiting and retaining students from groups underrepresented in the geosciences and/or placing students/colleagues into graduate programs and/or careers. Advocacy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion beyond an individual’s sphere of influence is also valuable.
• Industry Training: Sustained record of providing superior training in applied programs, short courses, project management, leadership, etc.
• Educational Materials: Creation of high-impact and widely disseminated educational materials (textbooks, laboratory manuals, short-course guides, field guides, etc.)

Excellence in teaching and mentoring of students and colleagues is essential to the geosciences. This may take place in formal education venues (K-12, 2- and 4-year colleges, graduate schools), settings outside the traditional classroom (field, lab, shipboard, drill site, etc.), and/or industry and agency-based training programs.

Examples of success in training and mentoring may include the following elements:

• Award Recognition: Receipt of teaching awards from home institutions and/or professional groups.
• Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Geoscience Education: A documented track record of success in recruiting and retaining students from groups underrepresented in the geosciences and/or placing students/colleagues into graduate programs and/or careers. Advocacy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion beyond an individual’s sphere of influence is also valuable.
• Industry Training: Sustained record of providing superior training in applied programs, short courses, project management, leadership, etc.
• Educational Materials: Creation of high-impact and widely disseminated educational materials (textbooks, laboratory manuals, short-course guides, field guides, etc.)

Engaged leadership and participation in GSA and associated societies’ activities ensure the society’s success in achieving its mission.

Examples of impactful leadership may be chosen from this list of elements:

• GSA Leadership: Superior achievements while serving in a GSA leadership position (e.g., Committees, Divisions, Sections, Council); activities that enable GSA members to achieve groundbreaking science that might be difficult or impossible as individuals (e.g., facilitation of international field research).
• GSA Editorship: Sustained success while serving in an editorial position for GSA publications.
• GSA Events: An outstanding record of organizing successful meetings, technical sessions, field trips, and/or short courses.
• GSA Mentorship: Sustained participation in GSA mentorship programs (e.g., Mann, Schlemon, On To the Future).
• GSA Mission: Activities that resulted in a positive change(s) to the manner in which the Society achieves its mission.
• Promote Diverse Viewpoints: Successful consensus building that results from the nominee’s encouragement of and bringing together diverse viewpoints and opinions. Successful advocacy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the organization is also important.

Information and data are burgeoning in the geosciences as they are in other scientific disciplines, and members who offer expertise and knowledge to efficiently and accurately locate and obtain information and data are crucial to geoscience advancements and the application of existing knowledge. Members who provide exceptional service (e.g., librarians and data archivists) are deserving of GSA Fellowship.

Outstanding members often exhibit example traits from this list of elements:

• Client Needs: Develop creative and innovative means to serve their clientele to meet and exceed their information needs. This is accomplished by undertaking the effort to understand the needs of individuals and larger organizations and staying abreast of literature and advancements in the field as well as trends in related fields.
• Archives: Develop, promote, and maintain data archives that both make the information easy to discover and easy to access and use.
• Knowledge Sharing: Attend and contribute to professional meetings in order to learn from the efforts of others and to share experiences with others.
• Mentorship: Devote time to effective mentorship of others to help continue and advance access to geoscience information.