The role of the Frontiers of Knowledge Awards in identifying the global leaders in ecological research

ABSTRACT Introduction: This paper outlines the origins and rationale of the Frontiers of Knowledge Awards, a new family of international prizes created in 2008 by the BBVA Foundation of Spain. The aim of these awards is to recognize world-class contributions in a range of scientific, technological, and artistic areas which address the central challenges of the twenty-first century. Their key distinguishing feature is the fact that they have incorporated amongst their categories the two fundamental fields of contemporary environmental research: Ecology and Conservation Biology and Climate Change. Outcomes: By documenting the winners of the Frontiers of Knowledge Awards in these two areas, as well as the reasons for which they received this recognition during their previous nine editions, we show how these prizes have helped to identify some of the leading international figures in environmental science, such as Edward O. Wilson, Daniel H. Hanzen, Jane Lubchenco, and Ilkka Hanski. Conclusion: In conclusion, we suggest that this initiative contributes to the public salience of the global ecological problems which threaten the future of our species. At the same time, the Frontiers of Knowledge Awards serve to highlight the fundamental importance of the pioneering scientists whose research can provide the only reliable basis on which global-policy makers must make informed decisions to successfully confront the environmental challenges of our time.