The committee of the ESR Spectroscopy group of the Royal Society of Chemistry has long felt that, as a community, we want to establish a prize which recognises the importance of those who have paved the roads on which we are now privileged to make our own journeys. Those whose wisdom, insights and innovations, be it theoretical, methodological or experimental, we use without giving second thought. We wish to reward the pioneers who, to this day, influence directly the younger generation. The prize will be awarded by the RSC ESR Spectroscopy group as voted for by the committee and in consultation with the RSC ESR community, especially the most junior of our members. It will be celebrated at our annual meetings: A laudatio for the awardee will be followed by a session entirely provided by junior researchers, highlighting the awardee’s continued influence on our field.
Our first lifetime achievement award will be presented at the 57th Annual International Meeting of the ESR Spectroscopy Group taking place at University of Warwick in April 2024.