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Career Stage
Middle Career
Experienced
Experienced
Award Type
Union Award
Of Note
Awarded biennially;
Peer OR self-nomination permitted
Peer OR self-nomination permitted
Established 1991
Recognizing Lasting Contributions to Earth and Space Science Journalism
The Robert C. Cowen Award for Sustained Achievement in Science Journalism is given every other year to a journalist or team of journalists who have made significant, lasting, outstanding and consistent contributions to Earth and space science journalism for the general public.
Originally established as the Sustained Achievement Award in Science Journalism, AGU renamed the award in honor of Robert C. Cowen, a longtime science editor at The Christian Science Monitor.
The Robert C. Cowen Award is given every two years.
Honor Benefits
Recipients receive the following:
- An engraved award
- Recognition in Eos
- Recognition at AGU's annual meeting the year the honor is awarded
- Travel expenses up to $1,000 to attend AGU's annual meeting the year the honor is awarded
- Two tickets, per winner, to the Honors Banquet at the AGU Fall Meeting
Criteria for a Successful Nomination
Nominees are evaluated on the following:
A career(s) spanning fifteen or more years that demonstrates significant, lasting, outstanding and consistent contributions to Earth and space science journalism, including reporting, writing, editing and producing.
Contributions to science journalism such as leadership and mentorship are also considered.
The journalism must:
- be about one or more of the Scientific disciplines represented by AGU;
- have been intended for, and available to, the general public;
- be in English (or include an English translation).
Eligibility
Nominee
The nominee must:
Learn More About AGU's Scientific Disciplines- be a science journalists or team of science journalists working over a period of at least 15 years
- cover any of the scientific disciplines represented by AGU
In addition:
- Self-nominations are accepted.
- Nominees are not required to be AGU members.
Nominators
Nominators are not required to be active AGU members.
All Parties
Must be in compliance with AGU's conflict of interest and professional conduct policies.
Read AGU's Ethics Policies