Digital illustration of the Earth's Magnetosphere deflecting solar wind and radiation from the Sun

James Van Allen Lecture

Information on the Lecture

The James Van Allen Lecture is presented two out of every three years to a space scientist who has made significant contributions to the field of magnetospheric science. It is named to honor the life and work of astrophysicist and space pioneer James A. Van Allen. The lecture is presented during the AGU Fall Meeting.

The Van Allen Lecture is also 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 Space Physics and Aeronomy section honorees. Recipients of the James Van Allen Lecture will receive the following benefits along with the honor:

  • 1

    Lecture certificate

  • 2

    Recognition in Eos

  • 3

    Recognition at the AGU Fall Meeting during the lecture presentation year

  • 4

    An invitation to present the Van Allen Lecture at the AGU Fall Meeting during the lecture presentation year

  • 5

    A complimentary ticket to the Space Physics and Aeronomy section dinner at the AGU Fall Meeting during the lecture presentation year

Eligibility

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

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

  • Nominators are not required to hold an active AGU membership.
  • Thesis/research advisors are eligible nominators.
  • The following individuals are not eligible to be nominators for the award during their terms of service:
    • AGU President;
    • AGU President-elect;
    • Council Leadership Team members;
    • Honors and Recognition Committee members;
    • Space Physics and Aeronomy section leadership;
    • James Van Allen Lecture Committee members; and
    • All full-time AGU staff.

  • Individuals who write letters of support for the nominee are not required to be active AGU members.
  • Supports may not be currently or recently associated with the nominee’s institution.
  • The following individuals are not eligible to be supporters for the award during their terms of service:
    • AGU President;
    • AGU President-elect;
    • Council Leadership Team members;
    • Honors and Recognition Committee members;
    • Space Physics and Aeronomy section leadership;
    • James Van Allen 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

Named section lectures are not required to follow a nomination cycle process. Sections have the flexibility to adopt the process that will best serve their communities in seeking lecture recipients. For nomination requirements, please contact Christina Cohen, Space Physics and Aeronomy section president.

satellite dish under a starry sky

Submission process

Nominations for the James Van Allen Lecture are being accepted. For questions about nomination requirements or the submission process, please contact Therese Moretto, Space Physics and Aeronomy Section President.

Please click the link below if you have any questions for AGU Honors Staff.

Email Staff
Earth's magnetic field, the Earth, the solar wind, the flow of particles. Sun

Recipients

Video

Lecture Title

Solar Wind Coupling and Magnetospheric Substorms

Field Photo

Robert McPherron Fieldshot

Video

Fran Bagenal

2018

Tamas I Gombosi

2017

Michelle F Thomsen

2015

Stamatios Mike Krimigis

2014

Daniel N Baker

2012

Bengt U O Sonnerup

2010

Vytenis M Vasyliunas

2008

Mary K Hudson

2006

Louis J Lanzerotti

2005

Goetz Paschmann

2003

James L Burch

2001

Atsuhiro Nishida

2000

Margaret Kivelson

1998

Donald A Gurnett

1997

Gerhard Haerendel

1995

Stanley W H Cowley

1994

Charles F Kennel

1992

George L Siscoe

1991

James A. Van Allen

1989

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]