Gwendoline Fay Gale AO (1932 - 2008) was the first Honours graduate in geography from the University of Adelaide and went on to become an eminent human geographer. She was well known for her contributions to academia, the advancement of women within academia, Indigenous Studies and juvenile justice.
Fay received the Order of Australia in 1989 for her contributions to the social sciences, namely geography and Indigenous Studies.
In 1978, Fay was elected to the Academy, and she served as the Academy's first female President for the period 1997 - 2000. She also served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Western Australia from 1990 - 1997.
In honour of Fay's contributions to both the Academy and the wider social science field, ASSA will support a distinguished female social scientist to present the annual Fay Gale Lecture.
Nominations are now open with the closing date as Saturday 31st October 2009.
The nomination is to be submitted and signed by two Fellows of the Academy, and should include:
For a female scholar who has achieved excellence in scholarship in the social sciences.
The nominated candidate does not need to be a Fellow of the Academy.
The nominated candidate does not need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.