IOSC Community Honors
The International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC) seeks to formally recognize and celebrate individuals whose careers have significantly advanced the field of oil spill prevention, preparedness, response, and restoration. Through the establishment of a Lifetime Achievement Awards program and a complementary online recognition platform, IOSC aims to honor those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and long-term commitment to the global spill response community.
To ensure broad and enduring recognition of excellence within the community, IOSC will maintain a permanent webpage - IOSC Community Honors - featuring individuals who have been recognized for their contributions. This virtual honor roll will include a name, affiliation, photograph, biographical information and a summary of each individual’s impact, and will be updated with each conference cycle. From this distinguished group, a small number of individuals will be chosen to receive the IOSC Lifetime Achievement Award and be formally honored during the IOSC 2027 conference. This dual approach both expands visibility of key contributors and preserves a lasting legacy of excellence within the spill response community.
Nominations will be approved by the Selection Committee based on criteria that reflect both depth and impact of contribution. Nominees are expected to represent the highest standards of professional excellence and have a minimum of 20 years of professional experience. They should have a demonstrated record of advancing response capabilities, sharing knowledge, and supporting the development of good practices, not only within their organizations, but across the broader response community. Contributions may include technical innovation, publications, leadership in professional organizations, mentorship, and measurable improvements in preparedness and response outcomes. Nominations for individuals (either active in the field or retired) may be submitted by September 30th, 2026, by peers or through self-nomination. Since IOSC 2027 will be the first year of this program, the submission can also include deceased experts.
Each nomination should be accompanied by the following documents:
- An agreement from the individual to be nominated (if not self-nominated or deceased).
- A nomination statement articulating the nominee’s contributions and impact.
- A comprehensive résumé or CV showcasing career achievements (e.g. published works, patents, innovations, positions held, and professional recognition and honors).
- Letters of recommendation from peers or community leaders.
- Any other information the submitter believes provides relevant support for the nomination.
Honoring Our Departed Colleagues and Contributors
The IOSC Program Committee would like to dedicate a special session during the conference to honor and remember valued members of our community who have passed away. As this is the first occasion we are performing this honor, we are soliciting the names of people who have passed since 2020, have died in the performance of duty, and/or have had a significant impact on the response community (i.e., responders, decision-makers, researchers, etc.). This In Memoriam session will acknowledge their contributions, preserve their legacy, and provide closure for attendees who knew them personally or professionally. Additionally, their name will be memorialized on the IOSC website.
Session Objectives
- Celebrate Legacy: Highlight the professional achievements and personal impact of deceased community members
- Foster Connection: Create a meaningful moment for attendees to reflect and share memories
- Preserve History: Document contributions for future generations within our field
- Provide Closure: Offer a structured opportunity for collective grieving and remembrance
Submission
If you would like to honor someone, please provide the submitter’s name and email, the person’s name, affiliation, month and year of passing, a few sentences describing their contribution to the response community, and a photograph (JPG or PDF) to 2027iosc@api.org.