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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. 

 

Making a nomination 

As of 2026 - We only accept self-nominations - to make a nomination please send the following to bsi.manager@durham.ac.uk. 

  1. Thesis abstract
  2. Examiners report from viva (if this has been completed) 
  3. Your CV 
  4. The names or your primary and any other supervisors. 

 

Criteria 

Nominees for 2026 must submit their thesis at Durham University between June 2025 and June 2026. 

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 a special BSI event.   


Evaluation of nominations will look for: 

1. Outstanding performance of the student and their development as a researcher 
2. Impact on the field 
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: 25 June 2026

 

 

Previous Thesis Prize Winners 

2024 Biological and photophysical analysis of novel diaryl acetylene photosensitisers for the treatment of oral epithelial dysplasia, Dr Josh Hughes 

2023 Fantastic proteins and where to find them, Dr Katy Cornish

2022 Slowing down to get ahead: functional and structural characterisation of toxin-antitoxin systems from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Dr Ben Usher

2021 The Impact of Dynamics in Protein Assembly, Dr Lucas Rudden 

2018 Exploring the applications of fluorine for peptoid structure induction, Dr Diana Gimenez