The Fowler Award for early achievement in geophysics was established in 2004 through the generosity of Mrs Rosemary Fowler. The prize is awarded to individuals who have made a particularly noteworthy contribution to geophysics (including emerging areas), within 10 years of completing their PhD. This Award and the Fowler Award for early achievement in astronomy are named after father and son, Ralph and Peter Fowler, two of the Royal Astronomical Society's most distinguished Fellows, and also after Rosemary Fowler.
The Society wishes to recognise the achievements of the award winners sufficiently early to give impetus to the recipients’ careers. The scientists may be of any nationality, but, normally, significant parts of the work for which the award is made should have been carried out while the recipient was working in the UK or with facilities in which the UK has a recognised interest e.g. UK-supported observing time on telescopes. At the time of nomination candidates, in normal circumstances, should have completed their PhD (defined as passing the viva examination) no more than 10 years previously. However, this time limit will not restrict the award of the prize to an individual who has taken maternity or paternity leave, who has taken a career break, for example for family reasons, or who has followed another career path (e.g. was educated in a system outside the UK, came to scientific research as a mature individual etc.). This prize is currently £500.
The 2023 Fowler Award (G) is awarded to Dr Oliver Allanson. Dr Oliver Allanson has made pioneering advances in quasilinear and non-linear physics of wave-particle interactions in the radiation belts. Dr Allanson has successfully used innovative numerical particle-in-cell experiments to understand how rapid interactions with large-amplitude electromagnetic waves can accelerate and scatter high energy electrons in Earth’s radiation belt environment. By quantifying the processes, the results have opened up new avenues to include these non-linear interactions in radiation belt modelling and forecasting, as well as contributing to our broader knowledge of theoretical kinetic physics in space and astrophysical plasmas. Alongside their scientific achievements, Dr Allanson has made key contributions through leadership roles, both in the UK’s Magnetosphere, Ionosphere, and Solar-Terrestrial (MIST) community, as well as internationally. These include founding the “MIST Awards Taskforce”, which operates to address historical imbalances in the diversity of both national and international scientific awards.
For these reasons, the 2022 RAS Fowler Prize in Geophysics is awarded to Dr Oliver Allanson.