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The Drapers’ Company is one of the historic Livery Companies of the City of London. For over one hundred years the Company has had strong links with ������ý, initially through substantial grants towards the construction of some of the University’s main buildings, including the library, science laboratories and the electrical engineering department. Today, as well as funding a number of PhD studentships and projects within the University, the Drapers also award two medals each year to outstanding research students. 

These prestigious awards take into account the quality of a student’s research, teaching, and service to the University and community and this year’s recipients were Rebecca Day and Lorna McKellar. Rebecca and Lorna were awarded their medals by Master Draper Patrick Beddows during the Drapers’ annual visit to ������ý earlier this week.

Rebecca Day from the of School of Arts, Culture and Language received the Drapers’ Silver Medal. 

Rebecca is conducting groundbreaking research on bilingualism in Rett syndrome. As part of this, she has undertaken outreach through charity work with RettUK, has collaborated with the Learned Society, worked with Senedd Cymru and has engaged with the media and public to raise awareness and create positive impact for people with Rett syndrome and other developmental conditions. 

Within the University, Rebecca has also been an exceptional Postgraduate Research (PGR) representative, serving as student representative for the School of Arts, Culture & Language, as a member of the Researcher Development and Concordat group and as Co-chair of ������ý Linguistics Circle.

Rebecca’s supervisor, Dr Eirini Sanoudaki, Reader in Linguistics (Bilingualism), said, “In my 15 years as PGR Director at ������ý, I have never seen a PGR make such outstanding contribution through both impactful research and service to our community. Rebecca works tirelessly to raise awareness of and advocate for Rett syndrome and her work has important real-world implications for inclusion. Rebecca genuinely cares and truly deserves this recognition.”

PhD student Lorna McKellar, who’s thesis is entitled “Setting thresholds for good status in marine ecosystem management” was awarded the Drapers’ Bronze medal. 

Lorna’s first PhD research chapter was published in a high impact journal early last year, and her second and third research chapters are currently under review. She has shared her expertise for an International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) advice request to DG Environment in the EU Commission and has been asked to present her PhD work by several organisations including the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Sustainable Management for Marine Research (SMMR), and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). 

Lorna was nominated by Prof. Jan Geert Hiddink, Professor in Marine Biology at the School of Ocean Sciences, who said, “Lorna has significantly enhanced ������ý’s reputation through exceptional achievement during a truly transdisciplinary PhD bridging natural and social sciences. Lorna is already internationally recognised as leading the science of setting thresholds for good environmental state”.

Master Draper Patrick Beddows, said “We at The Drapers’ Company are delighted to acknowledge Rebecca and Lorna’s exceptional work with this year’s medals. Their work is very impressive and we look forward to following their progress. As ever, we were delighted to visit ������ý for our annual visit and we continue to value our long relationship with the institution.”

Lorna and Rebecca were joined at the presentation by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Andrew Edwards, Head of School of Ocean Sciences, Prof. Stuart Jenkins, and Prof. Ruth McElroy, Head of School of Arts, Culture and Language.