The "Alan" Distinguished Honors & Institutional Milestones Report
Scientific Honors: Professor Alan MacDonald Awarded IAH Presidents’ Prize
Celebrating Leadership in Groundwater Science
On September 21, 2026, Professor Alan MacDonald, the Head of Groundwater at the British Geological Survey (BGS), was honored with the prestigious Presidents' Award by the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH). The award was presented during the 53rd World Groundwater Congress held in Budapest, Hungary.
- A Legacy of Impact: Professor MacDonald was recognized for more than three decades of pioneering research, scientific leadership, and international advocacy in groundwater science.
- Global Water Security: His primary research centers on building climate-change resilience for water resources across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, working in close collaboration with international bodies like UNICEF and WaterAid to reduce poverty and secure rural water supplies.
- Institutional Leadership: Since 2022, MacDonald has directed a specialized team of 30 scientists delivering global research initiatives spanning more than 20 countries.
Institutional Milestones: The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN)
Key Academic Grants Secure Funding for the 2026 Workshop
The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN), an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), successfully closed applications for several of its marquee educational grants on September 15, 2026.
- The Cart-Campbell and Smith-Carlsen Grants: These vital initiatives provide financial backing and complimentary registration for practicing librarians and graduate students in literacy education, enabling their attendance at the upcoming national workshop.
- Forging New Futures: Award recipients will participate in the annual 2026 ALAN Workshop, scheduled for November 22–23, 2026, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. This year's workshop is centered on the theme "Forging New Futures," designed to assist educators and youth advocates in navigating widespread literary censorship and expanding young adult literary outreach.
Regulatory and Legislative Affairs: CFPB Nominations Advance
Alan S. Kaplinsky Outlines Senate Banking Committee Progress
In the realm of federal governance, distinguished consumer financial services attorney Alan S. Kaplinsky published an essential policy brief on September 18, 2026, following a major legislative step in Washington, D.C..
- The Committee Vote: On September 17, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee voted 13–11 along party lines to advance the nomination of Brian Johnson to serve as the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
- Expert Analysis: Kaplinsky’s report outlines the anticipated timeline on the Senate Executive Calendar prior to the upcoming recess and details the transition of leadership from current Acting Director Mark Paoletta.