The Francis Birch Lecture is named in recognition of the seminal work of Francis Birch on elasticity, phase relations, thermal properties, heat flow, and the composition of the Earth’s interior. These contributions have helped establish the field of tectonophysics.
The lecture is presented annually by a recipient whose work has advanced the understanding of tectonophysics through observations, experiments, the development of analytical methods or modeling.
The Birch Lecture is also part of the Bowie Lecture Series, established in 1989 to commemorate the 50th presentation of the William Bowie medal, AGU’s highest honor, and named for its first president. Birch is a past recipient of the William Bowie medal.
Named section lectures are not required to follow a nomination cycle process. Sections have the flexibility to adopt the process that will best serve their communities in seeking lecture recipients. This lecture is open to nominations.
For questions about nomination requirements or the submission process and to make a nomination, please contact Lisa McNeill, Tectonophysics Section President. Nominations should take the form of a 2-page maximum cover letter from the nominator outlining the credentials of the nominee and an up to date CV for the nominee. The deadline for nominations and these materials is 13 March, 2026. A selection committee is being assembled for 2026.