Prize lectures

The Physiological Society awards a number of Prize Lectures each year. The Prize Lectureships have been instituted at various times in The Society’s history, and many owe their existence to the generosity of donors. Some awards are accompanied by an honorarium that is funded by The Society’s private funds and many, subject to the agreement of the Editorial Boards, are published in either The Journal of Physiology or Experimental Physiology. These Prize Lectures play an important role in The Society's commitment to advancing and promoting the physiological sciences.

Nominations for 2014 awards are now open.

Annual Public Lecture

Russell Foster Initiated in 2005 to be delivered at The Society’s Main Meeting, this lecture is designed to illustrate the importance of physiology and further its understanding by the general public and in schools.

Annual Review Prize Lecture

The premier award of The Society was instituted in 1968. Subject to the agreement of the Editorial Board it is published in The Journal of Physiology. There is a £500 prize. The published lectures are listed on the journals page.

Bayliss-Starling Prize Lecture

Established in 1960 as a joint memorial to Bayliss and Starling. This triennial lecture, subject to the agreement of the Editorial Board, is published in The Journal of Physiology. There is a £500 prize.

GL Brown Prize Lecture

Established in 1975 in memory of Professor Sir (George) Lindor Brown (1903–1971), this is an annual series of peripatetic lectures aimed at a younger audience in order to stimulate an interest in physiology. Subject to the agreement of the Editorial Board, this lecture is published in Experimental Physiology. There is a £1,000 prize. The published lectures are listed on the journals page.

GSK Prize Lecture

Instituted in 2010 with generous support from GSK, this prize is for early-career physiologists to encourage them and bring their work to general notice. It is awarded annually and comes with a prize of £1,000.

Hodgkin-Huxley-Katz Prize Lecture

Established in 1999, this prestigious biennial lecture celebrates the contributions to the physiological sciences of Alan Hodgkin, Andrew Huxley and Bernard Katz. To emphasise the international impact of their work, the lecture is normally given by a distinguished physiologist working outside the UK or RoI. Subject to the agreement of the Editorial Board, this lecture is published in The Journal of Physiology. There is a £1,000 prize. The published lectures are listed on the journals page.

Michael de Burgh Daly Prize Lecture

Established in 2002, this biennial lecture is given in memory of the distinguished physiologist, with input from the Cardiovascular & Respiratory Physiology Theme Lead. The published lectures are listed on the journals page.

Lecture

Joan Mott Prize Lecture

Established in 1995 and funded by a bequest from Joan Mott, this biennial lecture is usually given by a female physiologist. The lecture may cover any area of physiology but should be particularly relevant to young physiologists and also aim to enhance the profile and significance of women within the discipline. Subject to the agreement of the Editorial Board, this lecture is published in Experimental Physiology. There is a £500 prize. The published lectures are listed on the journals page.

Otto Hutter Teaching Prize

The Society launched the Otto Hutter Teaching Prize in 2009, to recognise outstanding teachers of undergraduate physiology and to raise the profile of physiology teaching. The prize’s namesake, Professor Otto Hutter, emeritus Regius Professor of Physiology at University of Glasgow, is recognised as a passionate and innovative teacher. The £1000 prize includes £500 for the winner and £500 for the host institution (the latter to support education and teaching in physiology). In addition, the recipient is invited to present a lecture at the main meeting. Previous winners are listed on the Education pages.

Paton Prize Lecture

Initiated by the History & Archives Committee in 1994, this annual lecture commemorates Professor Sir William Paton's support and initiatives for promoting interest in the history of scientific experiments and ideas. The lecture is given on a historical aspect of physiology and, subject to the agreement of the Editorial Board, is published in Experimental Physiology. The lecturer is selected by the Editorial Board of Experimental Physiology and the History & Archives Committee. The published lectures are listed on the journals page.

Sharpey-Schafer Prize Lecture

Funded by bequests from Sir Edward Sharpey-Schafer (1850–1935) and his daughter Miss GM Sharpey-Schafer and in memory of Sir Edward and his grandson Professor EP Sharpey-Schafer, this is a triennial lecture given alternately by an established physiologist (preferably but not necessarily from abroad) and a young physiologist chosen by The Society. There is a £500 prize and medal. Subject to the agreement of the Editorial Board, this lecture is published in Experimental Physiology. The published lectures are listed on the journals page.