The prizes, awarded to Isobel Mawby (Theoretical Physics) and Luhtu Murphy (Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology) for outstanding academic achievement in Part I of their respective degrees, are awarded by Ede & Ravenscroft, who supply robes for Lancaster University students during graduation.
Isobel Mawby gratefully received the award and feels that it has motivated her to continue to work hard throughout her degree. “I feel very happy to have been acknowledged and rewarded for my hard work,” Isobel tells us. “I am proud of myself and of my success, and feel encouraged to keep achieving in future years. The prize money will enable me to buy textbooks and resources for my degree, meaning I have less financial stress which is a great relief.”
Similarly, Luhtu tells us: “I feel happy and proud of myself winning the Ede & Ravenscroft award. It’s helped show how hard work can pay off, quite literally, so has motivated me more for next year. The prize money will definitely be helpful next year as its similar to an entire term’s living costs, so will help relieve me from a little more stress.”
Both Isobel and Luhtu are enjoying their time at Lancaster University, and have found their first year a highly enriching and rewarding experience. “The best thing about my degree programme would be how it challenges you, either through problems or understanding concepts,” says Luhtu of her Physics degree. “It’s a very satisfying feeling to finally work one of these out, and you get to do this regularly throughout the degree.”
The students feel that the friendly and supportive environment of Lancaster University is helping them to flourish and reach their full potential. “I chose to study at Lancaster University mainly because of the high quality Physics Department, and I was interested in the research that they undertake,” Isobel says. “The collegiate system really appealed to me, and Lancaster itself is very scenic – the town has everything you need. The best thing about my degree programme is that I am able to study the specific branch of physics which I enjoy most, theoretical physics, and this makes my degree more interesting.”
Luhtu adds: “Lancaster attracted me mainly due to the friendly environment I sensed whilst on an Open Day, along with its pretty campus. I also knew it was one of the best places to study my degree programme.”
Isobel aspires to a career in research when she leaves Lancaster, and hopes to discover the areas that most interest her over the course of her degree. “I need a challenging and interesting career in an area of which I enjoy,” she says. “This is why, currently, I aspire to go into research. I am unsure of the subject I wish to research, but hope to figure this out whilst doing my degree.” Luhtu is unsure which career to pursue but wishes to remain in science.
Prizes have also been awarded to Katharine Field (Mechanical Engineering), Bhuma Limbu (Chemical Engineering), and Monica Plotkin (Computer Science).