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Royal Geographical Society Award granted to University of Birmingham

University of Birmingham academic Professor David Hannah has been named 2022 recipient of the Royal Geographical Society Murchison Award.

3 May 2022•3 min read
Professor David Hannah

Professor David Hannah

The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) Murchison Award dates back to 1882 and it is given for publications judged to have contributed most to geographical science in preceding recent years. This is the third year in a row that the Royal Geographical Society has presented its prestigious Murchison Award to a University of Birmingham researcher.

Professor of Hydrology David Hannah was recognised for a body of publications that have contributed significantly to understanding of water cycle processes, hydrological events such as floods and droughts, and water-related impacts under climate and other drivers of change.

I am delighted and very honoured to receive the Murchison Award 2022 from the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Working in collaborations, I plan to continue to expand our knowledge frontiers in hydrology and water science, to develop the next generation of geographical researchers, and to continue to advocate the importance of our work for sustainable development and water security to a wide range of stakeholders.

Professor David Hannah, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

In 2021 the Murchison Award was given to Dr Patricia Noxolo, a Birmingham researcher known for her work in reconceptualising spatial ethics through place-based practices and her effective advocating of postcolonial and decolonial thought in geography and beyond.

The previous year, Professor Peter Kraftl, was the 2020 Murchison recipient, in recognition of his research into children’s geographies, in particular the emotions, affects, materialities and practices that make up their everyday lives.

This is a tremendous recognition of the quality of research carried out at the University and is a truly amazing institutional streak for the Murchison Award.

Professor Jonathan Oldfield, Head of the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The Murchison Medal is one of 23 Medals presented annually by the Society. It was established under the will of Sir Roderick Impey Murchison (1792-1781), the Scottish geologist who first described the Silurian and Devonian successions in Britain. He was born in Tarradale House, Ross-shire, where coincidentally David Hannah spent his first year field course as an undergraduate at the University of Aberdeen.

Notes for editors

  • For media enquiries please contact Beck Lockwood, Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)781 3343348: email:
  • The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.
  • The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830 for 'the advancement of geographical science', today we deliver this objective through developing, supporting and promoting geographical research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, public engagement, and geography input to policy. We aim to foster an understanding and informed enjoyment of our world. We hold the world's largest private geographical collection and provide public access to it. We have a thriving Fellowship and membership and offer the professional accreditation 'Chartered Geographer’ www.rgs.orgThe Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)’s prestigious medals and awards recognise excellence in geographical research and fieldwork, teaching and public engagement. They are presented annually to individuals who have made outstanding achievements. Recipients join a prestigious list that includes Sir Alexander Burnes, David Livingstone, Alfred Russel Wallace, Captain R. Scott and more recently Professor Peter Haggett, Dr Sylvia Earle, Professor Diana Liverman, Sir Crispin Tickell and Sir David Attenborough.

Featured staff

  • Professor David Hannah

    Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability)

    David M. Hannah is Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability), Professor of Hydrology and UNESCO Chair in Water Sciences, and Director of the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability & Climate Action.

    Phone: +44 (0)121 41 46925 (for own research)
    Email: d.m.hannah@bham.ac.uk

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