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Thesis Prize 


This annual prize celebrates Durham's interdisciplinary postgraduate students. The prize focusses on students who have applied creativity and initiative to their research, particularly those who have driven the research far beyond expectations. 

The assessment takes into account the excellence of the science included in the nominee's thesis as well as their development as a research with the skills and breadth of knowledge needed for interdisciplinary research. 

 

2024 Winner: Dr Josh Hughes 

12-1.30 pm, Penthouse, Collingwood College 

The 2024 Thesis prize will be held in our BSI Lunchtime Seminar slot, the final session before Christmas. To attend please complete the form below for catering purposes. 

Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/yUinm9G2zc 

 

Making a nomination for 2025

To make a nomination please send the following to admin.bsi@durham.ac.uk 

  1. Thesis abstract
  2. Letter of support (maximum of one page of A4)
  3. Minimum of two expert reports from outside the supervisory team (e.g. examiner's report) 
  4. List of publications and presentations associated with the nominee's thesis 
  5. Nominee's CV 

 

Criteria 

Nominees for 2025 must submit their thesis at Durham University between June 2024 and June 2025. 

A large portion of the nominee's research must be cross-disciplinary at the boundaries between the life sciences and other physical sciences including mathematical sciences and engineering. 

The prize consists of a £500 payment and prize certificate. The presentation of the prize will be made at the BSI's  Annual Summer Showcase. 


Evaluation of nominations will look for: 

1. Outstanding performance of the student and their development as a researcher 
2. Impact on the field as evidenced by the nomination materials 
3. Quality of the cross-disciplinary aspect of the research: was the approach relevant and well-considered. 
 

Please contact bsi.manager@durham.ac.uk for further details on criteria and application requirements. 

Closing date: 27 June 2025

 

 

Previous Thesis Prize Winners 

2023 Thesis Prize

Fantastic proteins and where to find them, Dr Katy Cornish

 

2022 Thesis Prize

Slowing down to get ahead: functional and structural characterisation of toxin-antitoxin systems from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Dr Ben Usher

 

2021 Thesis Prize

The Impact of Dynamics in Protein Assembly, Dr Lucas Rudden 

 

2018 Thesis Prize

Exploring the applications of fluorine for peptoid structure induction, Dr Diana Gimenez