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American Associaton of Geographers American Associaton of Geographers
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AAG Atlas Award

The Atlas Award is designed to recognize and celebrate outstanding accomplishments that advance world understanding in exceptional ways. The image of Atlas bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders is a powerful metaphor for this award program, as our nominees are those who have taken the weight of the world on their shoulders and moved it forward, whether in science, politics, scholarship, the arts, or in war and peace.

As with all other AAG awards, eligibility also rests on the candidate being in compliance with the AAG Professional Conduct Policy. Nominations may be rescinded, and the award may also be revoked for any candidate or awardee who is found in violation of the AAG’s Professional Conduct Policy.

AAG Atlas Award Recipients

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2022

Marcia McNutt

Marcia McNutt, for her trailblazing career as a leading scientist, as President and CEO of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Editor-in-Chief of the Science family of journals, first woman Director of the US Geological Survey (decorated for her leadership in the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill), and current President of the National Academy of Sciences.

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2022 AAG Atlas Award

Marcia McNutt

2022 AAG Atlas Award

Marcia McNutt, for her trailblazing career as a leading scientist, as President and CEO of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Editor-in-Chief of the Science family of journals, first woman Director of the US Geological Survey (decorated for her leadership in the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill), and current President of the National Academy of Sciences.

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2019

Carla Hayden

In 2019, Dr. Carla Hayden was presented with the fifth Atlas Award during the Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

Watch the Award Presentation and Keynote

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2019 AAG Atlas Award

Carla Hayden

2019 AAG Atlas Award

In 2019, Dr. Carla Hayden was presented with the fifth Atlas Award during the Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

Watch the Award Presentation and Keynote

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2017

Noam Chomsky

In 2017, Professor Noam Chomsky was presented with the fourth Atlas Award during the Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

Watch the Award Presentation and Lecture

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2017 AAG Atlas Award

Noam Chomsky

2017 AAG Atlas Award

In 2017, Professor Noam Chomsky was presented with the fourth Atlas Award during the Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

Watch the Award Presentation and Lecture

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2016

Julian Bond

In 2016, Dr. Julian Bond was presented with the third Atlas Award during the Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida.

Watch the Award Presentation and Lecture

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2016 AAG Atlas Award

Julian Bond

2016 AAG Atlas Award

In 2016, Dr. Julian Bond was presented with the third Atlas Award during the Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida.

Watch the Award Presentation and Lecture

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2014

Mary Robinson

In 2014, Dr. Mary Robinson was presented with the second AAG Atlas Award during the Annual Meeting in New York, New York.

Watch the Award Presentation and Lecture

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2014 AAG Atlas Award

Mary Robinson

2014 AAG Atlas Award

In 2014, Dr. Mary Robinson was presented with the second AAG Atlas Award during the Annual Meeting in New York, New York.

Watch the Award Presentation and Lecture

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2012

Jane Goodall

In 2012, Jane Goodall was presented with the inaugural AAG Atlas Award during the Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Watch the Award Presentation and Lecture

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2012 AAG Atlas Award

Jane Goodall

2012 AAG Atlas Award

In 2012, Jane Goodall was presented with the inaugural AAG Atlas Award during the Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Watch the Award Presentation and Lecture

See All Awards
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