Sihan has received the award for exceptional early career research with a remarkable track record of achievement.
This year, the Royal Geographical Society’s medals and awards recognise 24 outstanding people for their notable contributions to geography.
Dr Sihan Li, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science at the School of Geography and Planning, said: “I am incredibly honoured to receive the Gill Memorial Award. This recognition is a humbling affirmation of the collaborative efforts, mentorship, and vibrant research community that have shaped my early-career journey. I am excited to continue advancing our understanding of climate change impacts on extreme weather and climate-associated hazards—and to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: developing resilient solutions for compound, interacting hazards that threaten communities worldwide.
Thank you to the Royal Geographical Society, my nominators, former advisors, mentors, colleagues, students, and loved ones for their support.”
Eminent polar explorer and communicator, Børge Ousland, and distinguished human geographer, Professor Susan J. Smith, have been awarded the Society’s two prestigious Royal Medals. These are part of a series of awards that recognise extraordinary achievement in geographical research, fieldwork and expeditions, teaching, policy, professional practice and public engagement.
The Royal Medals, which are of equal standing, have been approved by His Majesty the King, and are among the highest honours of their kind in the world. They have been presented since the 1830s and past recipients include Sir David Attenborough, Dame Fiona Reynolds and Lindsey Hilsum.
Find out more on the Royal Geographical Society's website here.