The Neale Medal, named after the legendary E.R. Ward Neale, is awarded to an individual for sustained outstanding efforts in sharing Earth science with Canadians.
The medal shall recognize outstanding efforts to communicate and explain geoscience to the public through one or more of the following vehicles: public lectures, print and electronic-media articles, school visits, elementary and secondary-school educational materials, field trips, science fairs, and other public communication devices. It also shall recognize exemplary records of promoting public-awareness of geoscience activities through the sustained encouragement of, and participation in, the creating, planning, organizing and implementing of such activities.
2024 E.R. Ward Neale Medal
Nick Zentner (Central Washington University)
“For his innovative and sustained efforts in engaging audiences of all ages, at all levels of proficiency, from all over the globe; and sharing his enthusiasm for, and increasing the public awareness of, North American geoscience.”
Nick Zentner is a Senior Instructor and Scientific Outreach Coordinator at Central Washington University’s Geology Department. He earned a BSc degree at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and MSc in geology at Idaho State University. He has a long history of scientific outreach, spanning various public organizations, educational institutions, and media formats. He has generated an extensive channel of YouTube videos ranging from short, 2-minute videos to hour-long public lectures. His lectures dove into the accreted terranes of the North American Cordillera, from the Aleutians and Baja British Columbia to Mexico. Much of his Exotic Terranes A-Z series was dedicated to British Columbia and Yukon geology. His Baja BC series features several expert Canadian geologists, and many episodes focus on key Canadian research, integrating an extensive body of knowledge from Canada and the United States. On a weekly basis, his videos garner 8000-10,000 viewers, including many Canadian students and professionals. In connecting with his audience and delivering complex geological content in an accessible way, Nick is a true ambassador of geoscience.
Here are links to some of Nick’s videos:
Episode R – British Columbia Jӧkulhlaup? w/Jerome Lesemann – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I0xNvCAnW4
Nanaimo Revisited…with Danny Coutts, Will Matthews, & Mitch Mihalynuk – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY-7a2ZUleY
The deadline for National Medal nomination forms is January 5th, 2024
Previous Award Winners
2023 Jeff Young
2022 Mika McKinnon
2021 Kylie Williams
2020 not awarded
2019 Beth McLarty-Halfkenny
2018 Mark Fenton
2017 Guy Narbonne
2016 Rob Fensome
2015 Nick Eyles
2014 Ben Gadd
2013 Murray Roed
2012 John Calder
2011 Randall F. Miller
2010 Jane Wynne
2009 Eileen Van der Flier-Keller
2008 Christy Vodden
2007 Dixon Edwards
2006 John Clague
2005 Fran Haidl
2004 Peter Russell
2003 David Baird
2002 Bob Turner