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Jacob Bjerknes Lecture

Information on the Lecture

The Jacob Bjerknes Lecture is presented annually to a scientist who has made a major scientific impact in advancing the basic understanding of the atmosphere and Earth’s climate. Established in 1993, the Bjerknes Lecture honors the life of Jacob Aall Bonnevie Bjerknes (1897-1975) and his work in developing the basic theory of fronts, cyclogenesis, weather prediction, and creating quantitative models for forecasting.

The Bjerknes Lecture is also a part of the Bowie Lecture Series, established in 1989 to commemorate the 50th presentation of the William Bowie medal, AGU's highest honor.

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Lecturer Benefits

AGU is proud to recognize our section honorees. Recipients of the Jacob Bjerknes Lecture will receive the following benefits during the lecture presentation year:

  • 1
    Lecture certificate
  • 2
    Recognition in Eos
  • 3
    Recognition at the AGU Fall Meeting
  • 4
    An invitation to present the Bjerknes Lecture at the AGU Fall Meeting
  • 5
    Complimentary ticket to the Atmospheric Sciences business meeting at the AGU Fall Meeting

Eligibility

To better understand eligibility for nominators, supporters and Bjerknes Lecture Committee members, review AGU’s Honors Conflict of Interest Policy.

  • The nominee is required to be an active AGU member.
  • Self-nominations are not accepted.
  • The following individuals are not eligible to be candidates for the award during their terms of service:
    • AGU Atmospheric Sciences section leadership
    • AGU President;
    • AGU President-elect;
    • Council Leadership Team members;
    • Honors and Recognition Committee members;
    • Lecture Committee members; and
    • All full-time AGU staff

  • Members of the general public can submit nominations for the Lecture
  • Multiple nominators for a single candidate are encouraged to collaborate on the nomination package.
  • The following individuals are not eligible to be nominators for the award during their terms of service:
    • AGU Atmospheric Sciences section leadership
    • AGU President;
    • AGU President-elect;
    • Council Leadership Team members;
    • Honors and Recognition Committee members;
    • Lecture Committee members; and
    • All full-time AGU staff

  • Members of the general public can write letters supporting nominees for the Lecture.
  • The following individuals are not eligible to be supporters for the award during their terms of service:
    • AGU Atmospheric Sciences section leadership
    • AGU President;
    • AGU President-elect;
    • Council Leadership Team members;
    • Honors and Recognition Committee members;
    • Lecture Committee members; and
    • All full-time AGU staff

The following relationships need to be identified and communicated to the Award Committee but will not disqualify individuals from participating in the nomination or committee review process. These apply to committee members, nominators, and supporters:

  • Current dean, departmental chair, supervisor, supervisee, laboratory director, an individual with whom one has a current business or financial relationship (e.g., business partner, employer, employee);
  • Research collaborator or co-author within the last three years; and/or
  • An individual working at the same institution or having accepted a position at the same institution.

Individuals with the following relationships are disqualified from participating in the award nomination process as a nominator or supporter:

  • Family member, spouse, or partner.
  • A previous graduate (Master’s or Ph.D.) and/or postdoctoral advisor, or postdoctoral fellow may not write a nomination letter but may write a supporting letter after five years of terminating their relationship with the nominee beginning on 1 January after the year the relationship was terminated.
  • A former doctoral or graduate student, or a former postdoctoral fellow may not write a nomination letter for a former advisor but may write a supporting letter after five years of terminating their relationship with the nominee beginning on 1 January after the year the relationship was terminated.

Nomination Package

Submissions are reviewed by the Bjerknes Lecture Committee.

Named section lectures are not required to follow a nomination cycle process (i.e. submit a nomination package). Sections have the flexibility to adopt the process that will best serve their communities in seeking their lecture recipients.For questions about nomination requirements or the submission process, please contact Allison Steiner, Atmospheric Sciences Section President.

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Submissions

Nominations are now closed. The 2024 nomination cycle will open in January.

Email Staff
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Recipients

Jonathan Abbatt

2023

Linsey C Marr

2022

Video

Lecture Title:

A Quest to Understand and Model Regional Precipitation and Their Future Changes 

Field Photo:

Leung Field Photo

Video

Cecilia M Bitz

2019

Peter John Webster

2018

Clara Deser

2017

Isaac Held

2016

Citation

Kerry Emanuel will present the 2015 Jacob Bjerknes Lecture, presented annually and conferred upon by the Atmospheric Sciences Section. President's Citation “ for his outstanding contributions to the fundamental understanding of tropical cyclones, convection, weather and climate sciences” —William K. M. Lau, President, Atmospheric Sciences section, AGU

Brian John Hoskins

2014

Judith Lean

2013

Robert Houze

2012

Paul A Newman

2011

Tim Palmer

2010

Richard B Alley

2009

James E Hansen

2008

Susan Solomon

2007

Veerabhadran Ramanathan

2006

Jonathan T Overpeck

2005

Mario J Molina

2004

Ralph F Keeling

2003

David A Randall

2001

M Joan Alexander

2000

Eugenia Kalnay

1999

Robert D Cess

1998

Dieter H Ehhalt

1997

Michael J Prather

1996

Syukuro Manabe

1995

Richard A Anthes

1994

Kirk Bryan

1993

Honors Contacts

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Rosa Maymi

Director, Engagement and Membership

202-777-7322 | [email protected]

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Leah Bland

Manager, Honors

202-777-7389 | [email protected]

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Hannah Hoffman

Program Manager, Fellows

[email protected]