Huge congratulations to Dr Joanne Johnson, my collaborative partner who has been awarded the Polar Medal in the New Year’s Honours List of 2023!
This is amazing news and I am so delighted for her. The prestigious Polar Medal is awarded by the Sovereign of the United Kingdom for ‘outstanding achievement and service to the UK in the filed of polar research, often over prolonged periods of time and in harsh conditions.’ (more at: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/awards-and-accreditation/content/103898?utm_source )
Joanne is one of five BAS staff, and the only female this year, to be recognised ‘for their scientific work or their technical support for science, in order to improve our understanding of Antarctica and enduring Antarctic conditions.’ (more at: https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/bas-staff-awarded-the-polar-medal-4/
See Joanne’s announcement of her news and what it means at https://twitter.com/geologicalJo/status/1610653939237617666
In the relatively short time I’ve been following Joanne’s work I’ve observed her unwavering dedication to her job whilst at the same time balancing family and a private life. That’s no mean feat, especially working at such a high level with practical science, academic pressures and of course Antarctic conditions to contend with. I have immense admiration for you Jo and I hope this brings you enhanced recognition for all that you do.
Dr Joanne Johnson, Polar Geochemist
Joanne Johnson has worked for BAS as a geologist and geochemist for 20 years and has spent seven seasons in Antarctica. She specialises in using geochemical techniques to reconstruct the past thickness and extent of the Antarctic ice sheet. Understanding how the size and shape of the ice sheet has changed through time is critical for ground-truthing models that will help to predict how fast the Antarctic ice sheet will contribute to sea-level rise in future centuries. Joanne is most familiar with the Amundsen Sea sector of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, having undertaken multiple field campaigns there since 2006. She currently leads the Geological History Constraints project of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration and actively shares her work on Twitter.
Joanne balances her passion for Antarctic research with looking after her two school-age children. She has worked part-time for the past 13 years, and hopes that through receiving this award, she will be an inspiration to others contemplating both parenthood and a career in research.
https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/bas-staff-awarded-the-polar-medal-4/