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Esmond B. Martin was a renowned American geographer and conservationist who left a generous endowment for the Society to award an annual prize in his name - the Esmond B. Martin Royal Geographical Society Prize.

The Prize, first awarded in 2023, recognises outstanding individual achievement in the pursuit and application of geographical research, with a particular emphasis on wildlife conservation and environmental research studies.

The 2026 Esmond B. Martin RGS Prize has been awarded to Dr Krithi Karanth, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) in Bengaluru, India, and Professor Alexandre Antonelli, Executive Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Each recipient holds leading roles at major public-facing research institutions and has made crucial contributions to our understanding of the world鈥檚 ecosystems, as well as working to protect the planet鈥檚 biodiversity.

About Dr Krithi Karanth

Dr Krithi K. Karanth is a scientist, conservationist, and educator with 28 years of experience specialising in the human element of wildlife conservation. She leads the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS), one of India鈥檚 foremost international centres of scholarship, policy, and public education about the country鈥檚 natural heritage.

With over 100 publications to her name, Dr Karanth has studied trends in species distribution, extinctions and recovery, wildlife tourism, illegal wildlife hunting and trade, infrastructure impacts, diverse human-wildlife interactions, voluntary resettlement, and the effect of land-use change on animal populations throughout India and beyond.

Throughout her career, she has worked to bridge the gap between academic research and conservation impact for local people living with wildlife through multi-stakeholder, community-based initiatives and citizen science.

Her work has expanded pathways for low-income communities while fostering collaboration among researchers, government agencies, and civil society. She has published more than 100 scientific and popular articles and has served as an editor for several global scientific journals.

I am deeply humbled and profoundly honoured to be the first Asian recipient of the Esmond B. Martin Prize. To be associated with a legacy shaped by Esmond鈥檚 courage, curiosity, and unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation is both a privilege and a responsibility. At this critical moment for our planet, the need for science-based conservation - grounded in evidence, collaboration, and courage - has never been greater. We must nurture a growing community of stewardship - people who care deeply, act boldly, and work collectively to safeguard our shared future.Dr Krithi Karanth

About Professor Alexandre Antonelli

Professor Alexandre Antonelli currently serves as the Executive Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where he leads the work of 600 scientists working in more than 100 countries.

He is also responsible for one of the world's largest and most important collections of plants and fungi. He was previously a Cisneros Visiting Scholar at Harvard University and first Director of the Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, established during his time as Scientific Curator of the Gothenburg Botanical Garden.

As an active researcher with over 300 scientific publications, his work has advanced our understanding of the biogeography, evolution and conservation of biodiversity around the world, with a focus on plants and the interactions between human geography and nature

A key voice in international environmental policy, his work has been crucial in building public governmental awareness of workable pathways to safeguard the planet鈥檚 biodiversity. In 2024, he led the publication of an innovative biodiversity credit framework in Nature, charting a path for global finance to support nature-based conservation solutions.

I am deeply touched to be receiving this award and see it as recognition of the power of nature, science and Indigenous knowledge in helping us heal our planet. At a moment when the triple crises of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution loom larger than ever, our work at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is uncovering knowledge that can guide real solutions - from safeguarding threatened species and ecosystems to informing policy and sustainable practice worldwide. Professor Alexandre Antonelli
Dr Krithi Karanth and four pupils holding up books.
漏 National Geographic/Alisha Vasudev
  • Dr Krithi Karanth and four pupils holding up books.
  • Dr Krithi Karanth talks to a colleague in front of a green wooden door.
  • Alexandre Antonelli Fieldwork In Colombia with a bird on his shoulder.
  • Alexandre Antonelli In Mozambique on field trip, holding a clump of earth and a flower.

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