Dr Megan Balks, of Te Awamutu, NZAM, for services to Antarctic soil science
Dr Megan Balks is a leading New Zealand soil scientist, contributing significantly to Antarctic soil research. In 1990, Dr Balks joined other soil scientists beginning research into permafrost and human environmental impacts in Antarctica, going on to complete 19 Antarctic expeditions, 12 as field leader. Through this research, a series of Antarctic soil climate monitoring stations were established that contribute to an international programme (CALM) to monitor the effects of climate change in polar regions. Among her numerous publications, she co-authored the award-winning textbook ‘The Soils of Aotearoa New Zealand’ (2021), which includes coverage of the Ross Sea Region. She lectured at the University of Waikato from 1988 to 2018, supporting 10 graduate students in Antarctic soils research. She helped develop links with the international scientific community in the subjects of Cryosols (soil in very cold environments) and permafrost (frozen ground), furthering scientific collaboration and recognition of research undertaken by New Zealand soil scientists in Antarctica. She was a member of the Crysol Working Group of the International Union of Soil Sciences from 2000 until 2023, with two years as co-Chair. She represented New Zealand on the Council of International Permafrost Association (IPA) from 2008 to 2022. She organised the first Southern Hemisphere IPA Regional Conference on Permafrost in 2019. She was a founding member and secretary of ANTPAS (Antarctic Permafrost and Soils), a working group of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. Dr Balks has been a member of the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Committee on Antarctic Research, the New Zealand Geographic Board Committee of Place Naming in the Ross Sea Region of Antarctica, and President of the New Zealand Society of Soil Science from 2018 to 2020