School of Civil Engineering Postgraduate Research Awards 2024
The School of Civil Engineering held its annual conference for postgraduate researchers where seven students were recognised in the School Postgraduate Research Awards 2024 for their outstanding work.
On the 15th of April 2024, the School of Civil Engineering held its annual conference for postgraduate researchers (PGRs), which was deemed a huge success by the students, alumni and academics who attended.
The annual conference serves as a platform for practising presentation skills, showcasing the School's diverse research endeavours, and fostering academic discussion. This year’s event was the first School conference to be organised by our current postgraduate researchers, offering an invaluable opportunity to engage with other postgraduate researchers, faculty members, and academic researchers. It was a full-day conference open to all postgraduate researchers in the School of Civil Engineering, sharing their work with the broader academic community.
Event organiser and PGR representative Erna Zharani said: "It was a great experience working with the staff and PGR community at Leeds School of Civil Engineering for this year's PGR conference. Organising this event has exposed us to hands-on leadership tasks that allowed us to grow, become more assertive, and offer a unique balance between academic research and a significant opportunity to network and problem-solve with colleagues. I am honoured to receive the award and truly grateful to have a talented and supportive team with me that made this conference a huge success."
The event programme included two keynote speakers, Professor Mark Trigg and Dr Ana Heitor, twenty-two PGR presentations, nine first-year students' poster presentations, and a PGR Awards ceremony.
The annual civil engineering PGR award ceremony aims to celebrate our School’s postgraduate research cohort, who have made outstanding progress in their academic performance, engagement, and outstanding completed thesis.
The nominees and winners are a great example of what our expectations are and what we hope for in the future.
The awards acknowledge PGR students who have made extraordinary progress in their research and studies through publications and networking, and to PGR students who contributed generously to the School's research and social culture, supporting others and making the most of the opportunity for themselves. And finally, recognising an outstanding completed thesis during the past year.
It is through such achievements that we recognise the skills, progression and high expectations and commitment of the staff and our PGR candidates.
Professor Gehan Selim, Director of Postgraduate Research Studies in Civil Engineering, said: “It is through such achievements that we recognise the skills, progression and high expectation and commitment of the staff and our PGR candidates. The nominees and winners are a great example of what our expectations are and what we hope for in the future.”
Nominations were gathered from the PGR cohorts and their supervisors, in addition to nominations from PGR peers and colleagues.
I am truly honored to receive the Engagement Award at our Annual PGR Conference. It means a lot to be recognized by my fellow PhD students for my role in supporting our PGR community.
Winners of the PGR Awards
The Academic Performance Category
Awarded to PGRs who have made exceptional progress in their research and studies in areas such as external engagement and representing the University at events. In addition, internal contributions to the School, such as organising workshops and seminars and finally, publishing articles, participating in conferences, and developing new networks.
- Bowen Liu
- Karen Arzate Quintanilla
- Zengliang Yue
The Engagement Category
Awarded to PGRs who have widely contributed to the School's research and social culture, supporting others and making the most of the opportunity for themselves.
- Erna Zharani
- Qian Ye
I am honoured to receive the award and truly grateful to have a talented and supportive team with me that made this conference a huge success.
Speaking about the event postgraduate researcher Qian Ye said: “I am truly honored to receive the Engagement Award at our Annual PGR Conference. It means a lot to be recognized by my fellow PhD students for my role in supporting our PGR community. As a PGR representative, I've always aimed to make our research environment supportive and engaging. This award not only celebrates our collective efforts but also encourages me to continue enhancing our vibrant community. Big thanks to our PGR committee members for their hard work and support in making this conference a success. Lucky to have you all.”
Outstanding Thesis
Awarded to a PhD thesis that has been successfully completed in 2020 and had been highly commended by the Examiners.
- Amrie Singh
- Tatiana Zuniga Burgos
Congratulations to all of our student nominees and prize winners for their hard work and success.
Find out more
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