Archie Carr Student Awards

The Archie Carr Student Awards are given in recognition of excellence in student research. The awards are presented to oral and poster presentations in the categories of biology (studies of turtles and their habitats) and conservation (assessment of threats, studies of threat reduction, management, policy, etc.), and the Awards ceremony has become a much anticipated event at the annual symposium. Beyond the recognition, award winners and runner-ups can also receive a cash prize.

To be considered for the Archie Carr Student Award, students must self-nominate during abstract submission by checking the 'Archie Carr Award' box. To qualify as nominees, individuals must meet and follow the following criteria:

  1. Have conducted the research as a student and be within 12 months of graduation;

  2. Be the presenting author of the poster or presentation; and

  3. Be the first author of the poster or presentation.

Students can nominate themselves only once for the award at each symposium; students who are giving two presentations must decide at abstract submission which presentation will be considered for the award.

Visit the following link to see past recipients of these awards:

https://www.internationalseaturtlesociety.org/awards/past-award-recipients/

  • While Student Awards were given sporadically prior to 1990, the Awards program was formalized when Dr. Anders Rhodin offered the support of the Chelonian Research Foundation in 1990 and named the Award in honor of Archie Carr. For many years, Dr. Rhodin chaired the student judging committee and later served as a judge. Without his vision and commitment, it is unlikely the Awards program would exist in its current form. The ISTS gratefully acknowledges the long years of Dr. Rhodin’s service and the support of his foundation.

    See here for more information about Dr Archie Carr.

Grassroots Conservation Award

One grassroots conservation award (GCA) will be given to the symposium presentation (poster or oral) that best demonstrates a positive contribution by a grassroots group or individual towards the conservation of marine turtles or their habitats. Presentations will be judged by several judges in a process similar to that undertaken for judging the Archie Carr Student Awards.

To be a candidate for the GCA, the presentation’s primary author must check the GCA box during abstract submission and submit a detailed explanation on how their grassroots group or organization is having a positive impact on sea turtles or their habitats. The GCA Committee will review the abstracts and evaluate the eligibility of the nominees. Final judging decisions for the award will be made subsequent to viewing the actual oral or poster presentations given by candidates during the 44th ISTS Symposium.

Visit the following link to see past recipients of the award:

https://www.internationalseaturtlesociety.org/awards/past-award-recipients/

International Sea Turtle Society Awards

For more information on how to nominate individuals for the ISTS Awards (listed below), please visit the following page on the Society website. 

  • ISTS Lifetime Achievement Award: An annual award honoring an individual(s) who have had a significant impact on sea turtle biology and conservation through the course of their lifetime/career.

  • Champions Award: This award is presented annually to individuals, communities, governmental institutions, or non-governmental organizations, that have carried out outstanding work or had a significant achievement towards the research and conservation of sea turtles in recent years.

  • Ed Drane Award for Volunteerism: This award was established in 2011 in memory of Ed Drane who was Treasurer of the ISTS for more than 20 years. His passion for sea turtles and his commitment to the ISTS were both energizing and inspiring. This award is presented to an individual who is working with significant impact on sea turtle research and/or conservation outside of their professional life.

Visit the following link to see past recipients of these awards:

https://www.internationalseaturtlesociety.org/awards/past-award-recipients/