Graduates from the School of Geography have recently been awarded 1st and 2nd prizes from the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) for their in UK-wide competitions.
"This is not only a recognition of my own research, but it also recognises the importance of geographies of race, racism and equality and increases visibility in the wider academic community."
Camille, a BA Geography graduate was awarded the RGS-IBG Race, Culture & Equality Working Group 2020/2021 dissertation competition.
Her dissertation entitled “The Windrush descendants: explorations into 21st century experiences of Britishness through politics, race and culture” explored the challenges Windrush descendants faced in pursuing or maintaining a British identity. Camille’s dissertation argued and concluded through explorations of politics, race and culture, that hostile environment policies, ‘othering’ and the over policing of Caribbean culture, rely on racialised practises legitimated through citizenship based discrimination, that determines how ‘Britishness’ is constructed for and experienced by this group.
Speaking of her success, Camille said:
“I feel honoured to have been selected as the winner of the RGS-IBG Race, Culture & Equality Working Group 2020/21 dissertation competition. This is not only a recognition of my own research, but it also recognises the importance of geographies of race, racism and equality and increases visibility in the wider academic community. I wish to convey my appreciation to my supervisor, Dr Marcia Vera Espinoza and the RGS-IBG for their support and hope that the competition will continue to stimulate young scholars to seek excellence in the research they conduct.”
Dr Marcia Vera Espinoza, Lecturer in Human Geography and Camille’s dissertation supervisor said about Camille’s award:
"Camille conducted excellent, reflexive research focusing on the experiences and perceptions of the third and fourth generation Windrush descendants, discussed through the lenses of identity and race. This undergraduate dissertation provides an insightful discussion of the impact of the hostile environment policies, the Windrush scandal and black representation in parliament, in interviewees' sense of britishness. This is an important and timely piece of research, and we are extremely proud that it got this fantastic recognition. It was a joy to supervise this dissertation and see Camille to growth on her analysis and to put in practice the research training she obtained through the degree".
Dr Stephen Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography and Chair of the School of Geography Undergraduate Examination Board said:
“Camille’s well-deserved recognition wraps up a great year for national dissertation prize success in the School. Seven of our 2019-20 finalists received awards or commendations in external competitions with their dissertations covering topics as varied as Syrian refugees in Germany, leisure angling in rural England and the hydrological effects of wood in rivers! This reflects the real breadth and vibrancy of research done in our undergraduate community and showcases the important skills that the next generation of researchers are being equipped with in the School.”
In keeping with the School of Geography’s continued successes Nicholas, who studied BA Human Geography, was also awarded 2nd Prize for the RGRG Undergraduate Dissertation Prize for his paper on “Angling in the British countryside: an investigation of class, gender and rurality in the changing spaces and societies of British leisure angling.”
Find out more about our undergraduate degree programmes.
Find out more about the RGS-IBG awards.