Manchester researcher wins Royal Geographical Society Back Award

14 May 2026

Stefan Bouzarovski was awarded the prize for applied or scientific geographical studies which make an outstanding contribution to the development of national or international public policy.

The Royal Geographical Society's prestigious Back Award has been presented to Stefan Bouzarovski, a Geography professor within the School of Environment, Education and Development. The award, named after after Arctic explorer Admiral Sir George Back, has been presented annually since 1882 and recognises outstanding contributions to public policy.

The award is in relation to Prof Bouzarovski and his research teams' long-standing influence on energy policies in the UK and Europe. His research focuses on energy inequality and low-carbon transformations, and has involved over 30 research projects spanning a period of 15 years. Most recently, he has substantially contributed to the work of two large national UK energy research centres, with over £22m in government funding: The Energy Demand Research Centre (where Prof Bouzarovski co-leads the Energy Security Challenge) and the Centre for Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (where he co-leads the Social and Built Infrastructures Theme).

On receiving the award, Prof Bouzarovski said: "I am deeply honoured to receive the Royal Geographical Society’s Back Award. This recognition belongs equally to all of my professional collaborators over the years, and, above all, to the practitioner communities and research participants whose knowledge, trust and generosity have shaped my work at every stage."