Honorary Membership
Honorary Membership of the International Association of Sedimentologists can be awarded in two categories: for leadership in sedimentology or for service to the IAS. Honorary Membership can be awarded at any International Meeting of the IAS. At the 37th International Meeting of Sedimentology in Aberdeen (2024), Steven De Vriese was awarded Honorary Membership for services to the IAS.
Awardees List
Steven De Vriese, 2024 Honorary Member
Sorby Medal
The Sorby Medal is the most prestigious award of the International Association of Sedimentologists. It is awarded to scientists of eminent distinction in sedimentology. The Sorby Medal is awarded once every 4 years, on the occasion of the International Sedimentological Congress (ISC). At the 22nd International Sedimentological Congress in Wellington (2026), the Sorby Medal was awarded to V. Paul Wright
Awardees List
V. Paul Wright, 2026 Sorby Medal winner
Johannes Walther Award
The Johannes Walther Award is awarded to mid-career scientists who are considered to have had a significant impact in the field of sedimentology. The award is given once every 2 years. At the 37th International Meeting of Sedimentology in Aberdeen (2024), the Johannes Walther Award was awarded to Chao Li. No award was made in 2026.
Awardees List
Chao Li, 2024 Johannes Walther Award winner
Early-Career Scientist Award
The Early-Career Scientist Award recognizes contributions and potential of outstanding early-career scientists working in any area of sedimentology. Candidates should not have obtained their PhD more than seven (7) years before the date of the award ceremony. The award is given once every 2 years. At the 22nd International Sedimentological Congress in Wellington (2026), the Early-Career Scientist Award was awarded to Mario Borrelli.
Awardees List
Mario Borrelli, 2026 Early-Career Scientist Award winner
Sun Shu Research Prizes
The Sun Shu Prizes (Sun Shu Prize China and Sun Shu Prize International) are awarded to recognise outstanding scientists in the field of sedimentology. The Prizes are awarded to honour the late Prof. Sun Shu, a Chinese sedimentologist whose success and fame was achieved through the integration of sedimentological analysis into numerous areas of research including sedimentary geotectonics, mineral resources, and environmental sciences. He was a true pioneer in terms of using tectonic facies analysis concepts and sedimentological data to solve problems related to tectonics and basin analysis. Candidates for the Sun Shu Prizes must be ordinary Members of the IAS aged between 35 and 45 years at the date of the submission deadline. At the 22nd International Sedimentological Congress in Wellington (2026), the Sun Shu Prizes were announced for Mingsong Li (China Prize) and Cecilia Benavente (International Prize). They will be formally awarded at the 39th International Meeting of Sedimentology in 2027
Awardees List
Mingsong Li and Cecilia Benavente, 2026 Sun Shu Prize winners
Richard W. Faas Research Prize
The Dr. Richard Faas Research Prize (now discontinued) was awarded to recognize outstanding work in the field of marine sedimentology and particularly research dealing with fine-grained marine and estuarine sediments.
Awardees List
Dr. Richard W. Faas