/ Medals and awards

Ferrier Medal and Lecture

This prize lecture is given on a subject related to the advancement of natural knowledge on the structure and function of the nervous system.

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  • Closing date

  • Winners announcement

The award

The lectureship was created in memory of the neurologist and psychologist David Ferrier FRS (PDF), and was first awarded in 1928. It is given on a subject related to the advancement of natural knowledge on the structure and function of the nervous system. The medal is of bronze, is awarded biennially and is accompanied by a gift of £2,000. 

Eligibility

The Ferrier medal and lecture is open to UK/Commonwealth/Republic of Ireland citizens or those who have been residents for three or more years. There are no restrictions on career stage and nominations will remain valid and shall be considered by the award selection committee throughout three nomination cycles. Teams or groups may now be nominated for this award. 

Nominations are closed

Nominations will reopen in November 2025.

2025 winner

  • Professor Gillian Bates FRS

    Professor Gillian Bates FRS

    Professor Gillian Bates FRS is awarded the Ferrier Medal 2025 for her work in understanding the molecular basis of Huntington’s disease and consistently producing highly impactful findings which have moulded the course of this field.

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    Past winners

    • Richard Morris
      Awarded in 2023

      Professor Richard Morris CBE FRS

      For greatly advancing the understanding of the physiological and psychological processes underlying memory.
    • Daniel Wolpert
      Awarded in 2021

      Professor Daniel Wolpert FMedSci FRS

      For groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of how the brain controls movement. Using theoretical and experimental approaches he has elucidated the computational principles underlying skilled motor behaviour.
    • Raymond Dolan
      Awarded in 2019

      Professor Ray Dolan FMedSci FRS

      Delivered lecture: 'Seeing the future: how our brains decide our actions'.
    • Christine Holt
      Awarded in 2017

      Professor Christine Holt FMedSci FRS

      Delivered lecture: 'Wiring up the brain: How axons navigate'.
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      Awarded in 2013

      John O'Keefe

      Delivered lecture: 'NeuroNavigation: how the brain represents the space we live in and finds our way around'.
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      Awarded in 2010

      Colin Blakemore

      Delivered lecture: 'Plasticity of the brain: the key to human development, cognition and evolution'.
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      Awarded in 2007

      Marc Tessier-Lavigne

      Delivered lecture: 'Brain development and brain repair: Molecules and mechanisms that control neuronal wiring'.
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      Awarded in 2004

      Alan Cowey

      Delivered lecture: 'Magnetic brain stimulation: what can it tell us about brain function?'.
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      Awarded in 2001

      Andrew Gino Sita Lumsden

      Delivered lecture: 'Patterning the embryonic brain'.
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      Awarded in 1998

      Jean-Pierre Changeux

      Delivered lecture: 'The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and synaptic plasticity'.
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      Awarded in 1995

      Semir Zeki

      Delivered lecture: 'Behind the scene: an exploration of the visual brain'.
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      Awarded in 1992

      Gerald Westheimer

      Delivered lecture: 'Seeing depth with two eyes, stereopsis'.