THE SHACKLETON MEDAL
Launched on 5th January 2022, exactly 100 years after the death of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions is an annual £10,000 prize, awarded to the person judged to have done the most to protect the polar extremes so valued by The Boss.
We believe that if the Boss were alive today, rather than just exploring the polar regions he so loved, he would be striving to the utmost to save them from the myriad threats they face. The judging criteria reflect the character of Shackleton himself; we are looking to reward people who have shown courage, determination, ingenuity and leadership in their work.
Our panel of expert judges will consider all high-achievers who show these traits, regardless of age, gender, nationality or occupation. Last year’s nominations included outstanding people from the fields of exploration, marine biology, sport, geopolitics, climate advocates, artificial intelligence and more.
Our first winner, pioneering 35-year-old French glaciologist Heïdi Sevestre, risked her life to bring back the latest data on black carbon deposits from Svalbard with the all-female scientist group Climate Sentinels. Our second winner, the 61-year-old explorer Pen Hadow, has made it his mission to protect the wildlife of the North Pole’s international waters in the many years since his astonishing solo trek from Canada to the North Pole.
This year Shackleton is looking for a third individual to continue the explorer’s legacy. Nominations for the medal closed on 7th April 2024.
THE JUDGES
THE 2024 WINNER
VALÉRIE COURTOIS - 10.05.24
VALÉRIE COURTOIS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE
Valérie Courtois, winner of the 2024 Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions, is at the forefront of a powerful movement that has revolutionised environmental conservation in Canada and is seizing the attention of world leaders. Her vision to connect Indigenous Guardians as the “eyes and ears on the ground” to preserve ecosystems has won Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s backing and seen her nominated as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most Influential Climate Leaders.
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THE 2023 WINNER
PEN HADOW - 05.04.23
PEN HADOW
EXPLORER & CONSERVATIONIST
Whittling down from the significant longlist of nominees for the 2023 Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions was a challenging but inspirational task for thE judging panel.
We were proud to announce that record-breaking explorer and conservationist, Pen Hadow, was awarded the Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions. The award recognises Hadow's decades-long commitment to protect the central Arctic Ocean and his latest initiative to establish a Marine Protected Area in the region.
“I was stunned to receive such a special award which came at a critical moment in the roll-out of our conservation mission for the Arctic Ocean. It gave our work extra currency and topicality - and attracted a considerable and touching response from within the polar community.” - Pen Hadow
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THE 2022 WINNER
DR. HEÏDI SEVESTRE - 05.04.22
DR HEIDI SEVESTRE
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER,EXPEDITION LEADER AND CLIMATE ACTIVIST
The winner of the inaugural Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions was Dr. Heïdi Sevestre, the pioneering climate activist, expedition leader, scientific researcher, documentary maker and lobbyist.
Amongst an exceptionally strong list of nominees, Dr. Sevestre stood out for the extraordinary courage she has demonstrated working in the field and her drive and determination to communicate her message.
You can see Heidi in action in the new National Geographic docuseries, Arctic Ascent, which follows renowned climber Alex Honnold and his team as they venture into Greenland's remote and icy wilderness.
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