The Council of the Geological Society of America (GSA) has named Prof. Sierd Cloetingh the 2026 recipient of theInternational Distinguished Career Award. This award is given in recognition of his numerous, distinguished, and significant contributions that have advanced the international geological sciences through service and scientific activities. The award will be presented to Prof. Cloetingh at the GSA International Awards Ceremony during GSA Connects 2026 in Denver, Colorado, USA, 11-14 October, 2026.
As Utrecht University Distinguished Professor, Prof. Sierd Cloeting has been pursuing frontier research in a gloable view from solid earth geophysics, tectoncis, intraplate deformation, sedimentary basin evolution to sea level change. He published more than 370 papers in international peer-reviewed journals and has been promotor of nearly 80 PhD students from 18 different nationalities.Beyond his research and mentorship,his knowledge, wisdom and generosity have made him a highly respected leader to connect academia and industry, geology and geophysics, and to forge collaborations innational and international community service.
As a bridge between IUGS and IUSS, theInternational Lithosphere Program (ILP) was founded in 1980 to promote interdisciplinary research on the lithosphere and address societal needs by high-level fundamental research. Prof. Cloetingh served as the President of ILP from 2004 to 2017 and as Chair of ILP Coordinating Committee TOPO-EUROPE from 2010 to 2025.Through his outstanding efforts and leadership, TOPO-EUROPEhas been developed into one of ILP’s flagship programs, catalyzing pan-European cooperation in solid and surface Earth sciences and fostering cross-disciplinary research on the coupling between deep Earth, surface processes, climate, and life.His remarkable contributions to the organization and development of ILP are deeply appreciated. In April 2026, IUGG and IUGS conferred Prof. Cloetingh as the Honorary President of ILP.
Sierd (right) receives the appointment of the Honorary President of ILP from Prof. Hans Thybo (left), the ILP Past President.