Recognizing Excellence in the Field of Biometry

IBS Major Honors and Awards

Honorary Life Membership

IBS Regular Members may be elected by Representative Council to the status of Honorary Life Members of the Society. Honorary Life Members have all the rights and privileges of a Regular Member but are exempt from the payment of annual dues. Recognition for newly elected Honorary Life Members of the Society takes place at every International Biometric Conference. 

The 2026 nomination period for this award has passed. 

Full Instructions for Nominators

Year Name Region
1964 Chester Ittner Bliss (1899-1979) Eastern North American Region
1964 Gertrude Mary Cox (1900-1978) Eastern North American Region
1971 Gustavo Barbensi (1875-1974) Italian Region
1971 George W. Snedecor (1881-1974) Eastern North American Region
1971 Frank Yates (1902-1994) British & Irish Region
1975 Arthur Linder (1904-1993) Austro-Swiss Region
1976 William G. Cochran (1909-1980) Eastern North American Region
1978 Erna Weber (1897-1988) Region of the German Democratic Republic
1984 David J. Finney (1917-2018) British & Irish Region
1985 C. R. Rao Eastern North American Region
1998 Peter Armitage British & Irish Region
1998 Pierre Dagnelie (dec. 2022) Belgian Region
2001 David Cox British & Irish Region
2003 Rob Kempton (1946-2003) British & Irish Region
2004 L.C.A. Corsten The Netherlands Region
2006 John Ashworth Nelder (1924-2010) British & Irish Region
2006 Norman E. Breslow (1941-2015) Western North American Region
2008 Niels Keiding Nordic Baltic Region
2010 Robert N. Curnow British & Irish Region
2012 Susan Wilson Australasian Region
2014 Lutz Edler German Region
2014 Roger Mead (1938-2015) British & Irish Region
2014 Byron Morgan British & Irish Region
2016 Kaye Basford Australasian Region
2016 Peter Bauer Austro-Swiss Region
2016 Thomas Louis Eastern North American Region
2018 Marie Davidian Eastern North American Region
2018 Hans C. van Houwelingen The Netherlands Region
2018 Martin Schumacher German Region
2018 Alan H. Welsh Australasian Region
2020 Warren J. Muller Australasian Region
2022 Lynne Billard ENAR Region
2022 Jean-Louis Foulley French Region
2022 Elizabeth Thompson WNAR Region
2024 Louise Ryan Australasian Region
2024 Maria Grazia Valsecchi Italian Region
2024 Geert Verbeke Belgian Region
2026 Raul Macchiavelli Central American Caribbean

Rob Kempton Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Development of Biometry in the Developing World

Considered one of the Society’s major awards, the Rob Kempton Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Development of Biometry in the Developing World is presented at each International Biometric Conference. The award consists of a unique recognition plaque and complimentary IBS membership for the next calendar year (which may be donated to a member from a lower-and-middle-income country at the awardee's discretion). A full list of Kempton Award recipients is found below. 

The 2026 nomination period for this award has passed. 

Instructions:

  • Those submitting a nomination must be either a Region or Network President or Coordinator. 
  • Each nomination must be in support of a member who, in the eyes of the nominator, has made or is making significant contributions to the development of biometry in the developing world. 
  • Current Representative Council Members and Executive Board Members are ineligible for nomination. The current list of Board and Rep Council members may be found in the Governance area of this website. 
  • A statement supporting the nomination should be submitted in editable text by the nominator.
  • The nomination must be sponsored by at least two Regular members from other Regions. 
  • Please send all nominations via e-mail to Representative Council Chair Tim Friede, with a copy sent to Peter Doherty of the International Business Office.
  • Nominations will only be accepted through 31 October 2025.

The IBS Representative Council will receive and consider all nominations in early November 2025. Note that the nominee should not be made aware of the nomination that is being made on their behalf until the selection process has been completed. The Representative Council will make the final decision regarding all Kempton Award Winners.

  • 2026 - Tobias Chirwa (South African Region)
  • 2026 - Xiahua (Andrew) Zhou (Chinese Region)
  • 2026 - Ziv Shkedy (Belgian Region)
  • 2024 - Girma Taye Aweke (Ethiopian Region)
  • 2022 - Mary Lou Thompson (WNAR Region)
  • 2020 – Henry G. Mwambi (South African Region)
  • 2018 – Jim Todd (British & Irish Region/ Tanzanian Region)
  • 2016 – Kaye Basford (AR)
  • 2016 – Jane Hutton (British & Irish Region)
  • 2012 – Paul Janssen (Belgian Region)
  • 2010 – Clarice G. B. Demétrio (Brazilian Region)
  • 2008 – Larry Nelson (Central American-Caribbean Region)
  • 2006 – Sagary Kaku Nokoe (Group Nigeria) 

Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of the IBS

 

Considered one of the major awards from the Society, the IBS has offered an Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Development of the IBS since 2006. In addition to a unique recognition plaque, recipients of the award receive complimentary IBS membership for the next calendar year. Recipients are recognized publicly at every International Biometric Conference.  

The 2026 nomination period for this award has passed. 

  • Aim: To honor the contributions of IBS members to the development to the Society and to encourage the participation of members in the development of the Society. 
  • Eligibility: Any IBS member who has made or is making a significant contribution to the development of the IBS is eligible to be nominated. 
  • Application process:  Individuals may be nominated by a Region or Network President or Coordinator.
  • A statement of support of the nomination should be submitted in editable text by the nominator.
  • Statements of support must also be received from at least two Regular members from other Regions.
  • Current Representative Council and Executive Board members are ineligible for nomination. 
  • Timetable and Instructions: Please send all nominations via e-mail to Representative Council Chair Tim Friede, with a copy to Peter Doherty of the International Business Office. 
  • Nominations will be accepted through 31 October 2025. 

The 2026 nomination period for this award has passed. 

The Representative Council will make the final decision on all major award winners. If you would like a sample nomination package, please contact ibs@biometricsociety.org.

  • 2022 - Jürgen Kübler (German Region)
  • 2020 – Motomi (Tomi) Mori (Western North American Region)
  • 2016 – Jane Hutton (British & Irish Region) 
  • 2014 – Linda J. Young (Eastern North American Region)
  • 2012 – Marie Davidian (Eastern North American Region)
  • 2010 – Geert Molenberghs (Belgian Region)
  • 2008 – Laurence Freedman (Eastern Mediterranean Region)
  • 2006 – Andrew Mead (British & Irish Region)

Jane Hutton (British & Irish Region) receiving The Rob Kempton Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Development of Biometry in the Developing World.

Past Members of Distinction

Roger Mead

Norman E. Breslow

Other Noteworthy Awards

International Prize in Statistics

The International Biometric Society is proud to support the International Prize in Statistics Foundation as they strive to to enhance public understanding of the depth and scope of statistics. Nominations for the 2027 International Prize in Statistics are now being sought. The IBS is an official partner and provides financial support for this prize. 

Learn More

The Florence Nightingale Award

The International Biometric Society is proud to co-sponsor the IBS / Caucus for Women in Statistics and Data Science Florence Nightingale Award, which is meant to honor outstanding statisticians with a $1,000 USD prize and a certificate at every International Biometric Conference. It recognizes exceptional scholarship and service, specifically honoring individuals who advance women and disadvantaged groups in the profession.

Learn More

IBS / ISI Young Ambassadors Awards

The International Biometric Society and International Statistical Institute invite applications from young members of both the ISI and IBS during the early months of each year to apply for an ISI or IBS Young Ambassador award. This initiative, jointly organized by both organizations, aims to promote collaboration among young statisticians and biometricians worldwide. One or more recipients will be selected each year to receive a travel grant and a desirable international speaking opportunity. Selected Ambassadors will present their work at either the next IBS International Biometric Conference or the next ISI World Statistics Congress, based on the timing of each competition. We believe that the program fosters connections between young members of ISI and IBS and also brings needed visibility to aspiring young professionals. A press release from both Societies typically announces the start of the application period.

We invite you to consider nominations for any member colleagues worthy of recognition!