Patrick Webber is recognized for his life-time scientific contributions to arctic and alpine tundra ecology and plant taxonomy and the promotion of arctic research in general through his inspiring mentorship and leadership.

He is Professor Emeritus of plant biology at Michigan State University. His research and teaching interests are broad. He is an ecologist and interested in what controls the variety, numbers and distribution of plants, animals and microorganisms. Early training was in classical phytosociology and plant taxonomy. For His doctoral work he applied factor analysis to vegetation studies and later he and his students were among the first to make multi-layered maps using Geographic Information Systems techniques. They pioneered a mapping method which has become a standard required by regulatory agencies in planning prior to resource development.

Webber is perhaps best known as an Arctic ecologist but he also has experience in the landscape ecology of managed landscapes such as are prevalent in the Midwestern United States. He is interested in many aspects of global change. Of particular concern is the need for global change research to branch out from being a climate change program to include issues of resource sustainability in a changing world. Global change research must include the "human dimensions of global change".

Webber will receive his medal 9th of JUne 13.20-14.00 in the IPY-OSC plenary hall. The award ceremony will be followed by a 30 minute lecture by the awardee. The awardee is former president of IASC.