The Patience Cowie Early Career Award is awarded to an Early Career Geoscientist who has made a significant contribution in the field of Structural Geology, either in academia, industry, the wider research community, or broader society, commensurate with their career stage, through but not limited to; research, teaching, mentorship, geological mapping, digital/software development, public engagement. We encourage applications from all sectors and look forward to reviewing some innovative ideas!

The award is named in memory of Patience Cowie, known for her revolutionary work in understanding fault growth and displacement. Patience has been described as an insightful scientist, a seeker of truth and an encouraging mentor. We feel this award reflects Patience’s love for structural geology, passion for understanding the natural world, and support of upcoming geoscientists. This award enables the awardee to present a key aspect of their work as a Keynote talk at the next TSG annual meeting, along with a grant of £500 to fund a further talk or series of talks at other institutions / conferences / events.

Application Procedure

  • Self-nomination by submitting the required application documents to the TSG Secretary by a deadline in late summer (1 August)

Eligibility Criteria

  • The applicant must be an Early Career Geoscientist (defined as within 10 years of completion of their 1st Degree, i.e. Bachelor or comparable).
  • The 10-year period can be extended to account for geoscience career breaks which may have been a result of, but not limited to: personal illness, caring and/or parental responsibilities, working in another sector (i.e. not geoscience), disability, national service.
  • The applicant must be available to attend the next TSG conference.

Award

  • The awardee will receive a named Keynote Talk slot (~30-minute slot) at the next TSG conference (conference registration, accommodation and travel costs within the UK and Ireland will be covered), plus a £500 grant to fund a further talk or talk series at relevant conference(s)/ institution(s)/ outreach event(s).

Submission Documents

Please submit the completed application form to the TSG Secretary, the application comprises the following four components:

  1. Covering Letter (20%)
    1. Please provide a covering letter that states your contribution to the field of structural geology or tectonics (1-page max)
  2. CV (2-page max) (20%)
    1. Please provide a CV to highlight supporting evidence for the covering letter. This could include academic/industry experience, and any relevant publications or reports, conference presentations (oral or poster), taught courses, or public engagement activities or events led.
  3. Abstract (50%)
    1. Please provide an abstract for the proposed TSG Keynote Talk (300 words max).
  4. Statement of intent for use of the £500 grant (10%)
    1. Please provide a short statement of intent as to how the grant will be used and how this would be beneficial to your career.  

Assessment

  • The application will be assessed by a panel of at least 3 judges who have a range of backgrounds across research, teaching, and industry.

Assessment Criteria

The applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  1. Significant Contributions in Structural Geology (Covering Letter & CV) (40%)
    1. The panel will assess the applicant’s demonstratable contribution in the field of Structural Geology, which may be via; supporting either an individual (i.e., providing mentorship), the research community, industry, or wider society.
    1. This will be assessed commensurate to the applicant’s career stage.
  2. Abstract (50%)
    1. Novelty, significance, or innovation
    1. Quality and Accessibility – does the abstract demonstraterobust data collection and thoughtful interpretation, are implications of the work/ method/ application clearly presented.
  3. Statement of intent for use of the £500 grant (10%)
    1. The panel will consider whether the intended use of the grant is appropriate

About Patience Cowie (1964 – 2020)

Patience Cowie was first and foremost an outstanding scientist. Her PhD and early career research revolutionised our understanding of fault growth by invoking mechanical principles from engineering and material science to reveal how faults and fault populations develop. She later applied this knowledge to earthquake scaling and river pattern evolution in response to developing faults. She was a hugely enthusiastic field geologist, always ground truthing the numerical models that were central to her exploration of faults in tectonic and geomorphological systems by careful observations of real rocks. She was a strong supporter of younger scientists, and though uncompromising in her questioning of their science, she was always willing to discuss and talk through scientific problems. When you had been grilled by Patience, you came away a better scientist! Patience was also incredibly fun and had a joy for life rooted in scientific study and understanding.

Contribution by Zoe Shipton, Clare Bond, Karen Mair

Patience Cowie at the Royal society