The Walter Orr Roberts Lecturer

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.

Nomination Process

Thank you for your interest in submitting a nomination! AMS membership is not required to submit an award nomination. Nominations are due by 1 May. The nominator is responsible for uploading the entire nomination package.

The nominees for awards remain on the committee's active list for three years. You will be allowed to update an unsuccessful nomination at the beginning of the next award cycle.

Requirements

  • Citation (25 word maximum)
  • Bibliography (3 page maximum)
  • Nomination letter (3 page maximum)
  • Nominee Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum)
  • Three (3) letters of support (2 page maximum each)

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Description

The Walter Orr Roberts Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Sciences is selected in recognition of significant contributions to the understanding of atmospheric processes through the effective interchange of knowledge between atmospheric science disciplines or between atmospheric scientists and scientists of other disciplines. The lecture is presented at an AMS Annual Meeting or 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.

Recommendation of a Lecturer is made by a committee of no fewer than five members of the Scientific and Technological Activities Commission (convened annually by the STAC Commissioner), which makes recommendations for final approval by AMS Council.

About Walter Orr Roberts

Photo of Walter Orr Roberts

Walter Orr Roberts (1915-1990) was an astronomer and atmospheric physicist, well-known as a founder of the High Altitude Observatory and NCAR, and for his early recognition of human factors in climate change.

As the first president of UCAR and NCAR’s founding director, Roberts was a pivotal figure in making Boulder, Colorado a major center for scientific research and interdisciplinary cooperation.