The Bicentenary Medal

Awarded to an early-career scientist, in recognition of excellent research in the natural sciences.

Struck in silver to commemorate the 200th anniversary in 1978 of the death of Linnaeus, the Bicentenary Medal is awarded annually in recognition of work done by a scientist with less than 10 years of research experience since their PhD.

Nominations are now closed. Sign up to our newsletter, Linnean News, for updates on events, grants, awards and news from the Linnean Society of London.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominee must have fewer than 10 years of FTE research experience since the award of their PhD. This time period does not need to be continuous - the award is open to nominees who have taken career breaks or extended leave, e.g. parental or long-term sick leave.

  • Open to any scientist of any nationality, in any field of the natural sciences (e.g. taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics, evolution, ecology)
  • For their excellent biological research, and contribution to the wider natural history community, e.g. editorial and/or committee/policy work/public engagement)
  • Nominee cannot, at the time of nomination, be a member of Council
  • Nominee does not need to be a Fellow of the Society
  • We do not accept self-nominations

Bicentenary Medal Recipient 2023

Dr Tanisha Williams
Credit: Emily Paine

Dr Tanisha Williams

Dr Tanisha Williams' doctoral work studied the response of South African Pelargonium species to climate change, including a substantial portion doing fieldwork abroad and generating an impressive long-term phenological dataset from a century's worth of herbarium collections. She has since won several awards for her work in science and outreach, having expanded plant-related research opportunities for students through her expertise in climate change biology and population genomics, as well as making it more inclusive for those who are otherwise marginalised in its study.

Previous Recipients of the Bicentenary Medal

  • Dr James Rosindell (2022)
  • Dr Scott A. Taylor (2021)
  • Professor Kayla King (2020)
  • Dr Steve Portugal (2019)