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.
Now, Shackleton is looking for a third individual to continue the explorer’s legacy. Nominations for the medal will be open until 7th April 2024.
THE SHORTLIST
NOMINATION AND AWARD PROCESS
Nominations are now open until the 3rd March 2023.
A longlist will then be sent to our board of twelve
judges who will come together to create a shortlist, of
which one winner will be selected. Whether you wish to
nominate yourself or someone you know, please do so
through the below nomination form.
THE JUDGES
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
THE 2023 WINNER
PEN HADOW - 05.04.22
PEN HADOW
EXPLORER & CONSERVATIONIST
Whittling down from this significant longlist of nominees for the 2023 Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions was a challenging but inspirational task for this years' judging panel.
We are proud to announce that record-breaking explorer and conservationist, Pen Hadow, has been 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.
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 is 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.
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.