Robert E. Horton Lecturer in Hydrology

Lectureships to now recognize outstanding mid-career scientists

The Society’s lectureships are now intended to recognize outstanding mid-career scientists. Mid-career is typically taken to include scientists who are within 10 to 20 years beyond earning their highest graduate degree or within 15 to 25 years beyond earning their baccalaureate. Consideration will also be given, however, to those who are still in the middle stage of their careers but have seen these interrupted for up to 5–10 years by military service, or family and career circumstances. Note that currently serving members on the AMS Committee on Hydrology are NOT eligible for the award to avoid any potentially conflicts of interest. They are, of course, eligible for the award both before and after their term of service on the committee.

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Description

The Robert E. Horton Lecturer in Hydrology is selected in recognition of a mid-career professional for their contributions towards advancing scientific understanding, research, or operational applications of hydrological/hydrometeorological sciences for societal benefits. The goal of this lectureship is to foster an interchange of ideas across disciplines that span the weather and climate enterprises represented by the AMS. Additional criteria considered for selection include, but are not limited to: the broad relevance of the topics pursued, relevant professional service record, and mentoring. The lecture, which may be either a general overview or a summary of recent work conducted in an area of particularly current interest, is presented at an AMS Annual Meeting or at an appropriate specialty conference.
 
The lecture may be recorded for broader dissemination and, if desired by the Lecturer, a written version of the lecture will be posted as part of BAMS Online.

About Robert Elmer Horton

Robert Elmer Horton (1875-1945) was a civil engineer and soil scientist with the United States Geological Survey, and the first to articulate the stages of the water cycle (infiltration, evaporation, interception, transpiration, etc). As a pioneer in hydrology, Horton made important discoveries in flood generation, soil erosion, and the role of physical terrain in runoff patterns. Horton overland flows are named for his discoveries.