/ Medals and awards

Bakerian Medal and Lecture

This prize lecture is the premier lecture in the physical sciences

  • Opening date

  • Closing date

  • Winners announcement

    Date subject to confirmation

The award

The Bakerian Medal and Lecture is the premier lecture in physical sciences. The lectureship was established through a bequest by Henry Baker FRS (PDF) of £100 for 'an oration or discourse on such part of natural history or experimental philosophy, at such time and in such manner as the President and Council of the Society for the time being shall please to order and appoint'. The lecture series began in 1775. The medal is of silver gilt, is awarded annually and is accompanied by a gift of £10,000.  

Eligibility

The Bakerian medal and lecture is open to international citizens. It is restricted to senior scientists and nominations will remain valid and shall be considered by the award selection committee throughout three nomination cycles. Teams or groups may now be nominated for this award.

Nominations are closed

Nominations will reopen in November 2024.

2024 winner

  • Professor Michele Dougherty CBE FRS

    Professor Michele Dougherty CBE FRS

    The Bakerian Medal and Lecture 2024 is awarded to Professor Michele Dougherty CBE FRS for her scientific leadership of the Cassini magnetic field instrument at Saturn, seminal research findings on potential life support on Enceladus and leadership of forthcoming missions to probe Jupiter’s icy moons. Picture credit: Thomas Angus

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    Past winners

    • Michele Doughtery
      Awarded in 2024

      Professor Michele Dougherty CBE FRS

      For her scientific leadership of the Cassini magnetic field instrument at Saturn, seminal research findings on potential life support on Enceladus and leadership of forthcoming missions to probe Jupiter’s icy moons.
    • Andrew Zisserman
      Awarded in 2023

      Professor Andrew Zisserman FRS

      For research on computational theory and commercial systems for geometrical analysis of images, and for being a pioneer and leading scientist in machine learning for vision, especially image recognition.
    • Michelle Simmons
      Awarded in 2022

      Professor Michelle Simons AO FRS

      For seminal contributions to our understanding of nature at the atomic-scale by creating a sequence of world-first quantum electronic devices in which individual atoms control device behaviour.
    • Victoria Kaspi
      Awarded in 2021

      Professor Victoria Kaspi CC FRS

      Delivered lecture: ‘Fast Radio Bursts’.
    • James Hough
      Awarded in 2020

      James Hough OBE FRS

      Delivered lecture: ‘Ripples from the Dark Side of the Universe - a bright future ahead’.
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      Awarded in 2019

      Edward Hinds FRS

      Delivered lecture: ‘The Quantum Revolution in Science and Technology’.
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      Awarded in 2018

      Susan Solomon ForMemRS

      Delivered lecture: ‘Meeting the scientific and policy challenges of the Antarctic ozone hole: a global success story’.
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      Awarded in 2017

      Andrew Hopper

      For his outstanding research in computer technology.
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      Awarded in 2016

      Andrea Ghez

      Delivered lecture: 'The monster at the heart of our galaxy'.
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      Awarded in 2015

      John Ellis

      Delivered lecture: 'The Long Road to the Higgs Boson - and Beyond'.
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      Awarded in 2014

      Lynn Gladden

      Delivered lecture: 'It’s magnetic resonance – but not as you know it'.
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      Awarded in 2013

      David Leigh

      Delivered lecture: 'Making the tiniest machines'.