Brighid Ó Dochartaigh honoured with prestigious Geological Society award

Brighid Ó Dochartaigh has been awarded the Younger Medal by the Geological Society for her outstanding contribution to the hydrogeological community leading the development of the African Groundwater Atlas. The atlas was created alongside the International Association of Hydrogeologists, with contributions from over 60 African groundwater scientists from 2014 to 2022. 

A widely used online resource, the atlas provides groundwater information for Africa and acts as a gateway to access additional resources. It contains country profiles on the hydrogeology of 51 countries in Africa, including downloadable geological and hydrogeological maps. The Groundwater Literature Archive sits alongside the atlas, providing access to PDFs of thousands of documents on groundwater in Africa, many authored by Brighid. Working with in-country co-authors, she also led the production of the suite of hydrogeology maps that are freely available for use in GIS applications. 

Prof Charlotte Watts, chief scientific advisor to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, referred to the atlas as an example of innovative science for development at the 2018 UN Annual Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs. 

The medal was accepted on Brighid’s behalf by BGS Head of Groundwater, Prof Alan MacDonald, in London on November 19.

My career has been ended early because of long covid, which has left me too sick and disabled for work. That experience makes it particularly special to me to be this year’s recipient of the Younger medal. 

But the main reason I feel so honoured is for the work this award recognises: the Africa Groundwater Atlas. It’s been so much a team effort, by colleagues across BGS and other UK organisations, and hydrogeologist colleagues in countries across Africa.  

One of the biggest reasons I value the atlas is for how much support there has been for its development from the start from colleagues in Africa. Their early support validated how useful a resource it could be and encouraged us in its development. Since the launch of the atlas, we’ve seen so many examples of the positive impacts it’s having on the work of improving understanding sustainable use, and management of groundwater. 

I’m very happy that the atlas continues to be developed by my BGS colleagues, and I hope it will be around for many years to come. I’m proud to think of it as an important legacy of my career. And I’m very thankful to the Hydro Group for recognising the work of the atlas with the award of this medal today.

Brighid Ó Dochartaigh.

Throughout her career, Brighid developed many excellent and useful hydrogeological tools, datasets and reports.  The Africa Groundwater Atlas is the jewel in her crown, a fabulous resource used by many throughout the world and developed in partnership with groundwater colleagues throughout Africa.  I am really delighted that Brighid has been award the Younger Medal — a very deserving recipient.

Alan MacDonald, BGS Head of Groundwater.