Dr. Jon Ove Methlie Hagen has now been awarded the Honorary Membership Award from the International Glaciological Society (IGS). Hagen is a Professor Emeritus at the Department of Geosciences, Section for Geography and Hydrology, and has until recently contributed to teaching glaciology at the department. The Honorary Membership was announced on December 20, 2024.
An Honorary Membership in IGS recognizes individuals with outstanding contributions to the science of glaciology at a national or regional level.
Significant influence on Norwegian and Arctic glaciology
Hagen has had a distinguished career spanning over 40 years and has had a significant influence on Norwegian and Arctic glaciology, writes IGS in their justification for the honorary membership. They also state that:
"Dr. Hagen’s scientific contributions, mentorship, and leadership have profoundly enhanced Norway’s visibility in glaciological research. His work, particularly in Svalbard, has had a significant impact, and his generous and collaborative approach has had a long-lasting impact on the field".
It is also highlighted that Hagen has contributed important insights into the interactions between glaciers and climate, as well as the sensitivity of glaciers to climate change. He led the first comprehensive mapping of Svalbard's glaciers, providing crucial foundational data for a number of subsequent studies. The justification also emphasizes that Hagen has demonstrated outstanding leadership and promoted international collaboration by initiating and coordinating major international research projects focused on the Arctic, and that he was the chair of the International Arctic Science Committee’s (IASC) working group on Arctic Glaciology from 1994 to 2003.
Read the full justification for the award on the IGS website
The awardee was previously honored with the Fram Committee Nansen Award for Polar Research in 2014 for his research and significant contributions to better understanding how our glaciers, and particularly our large ice sheets, will respond to future climate change.
The award of Honorary Membership to the IGS
The Honorary Membership Award from the International Glaciological Society (IGS) recognizes individuals with outstanding contributions to the science of glaciology at a national or regional level. Contributions may include the establishment or maintenance of national monitoring and research programs in glaciology, support for young researchers, or enhancing the visibility and status of the field. Honorary Membership in the IGS is granted for a lifetime.