The MSc research award aims to recognise excellence in landscape ecology research at the Master’s level. The deadline for entries is 1st October 2024.
Format
We invite MSc students to submit a synthesis to communicate the findings of their research to non-academics in a brief that exceeds no more than one side of A4 (text size 12) + 1 image. The image can be either a photograph, a table or figure, that helps to communicate the content of the brief.
The brief should set out the background, methods, results and implications of MSc dissertation research that has been completed in 2024.
The formatting of the brief (font style and colour) is the decision of the entrant, however we stipulate that the font size is no smaller than 12, though it can be larger. Entrants should consider the impact of the design of the brief on its effectiveness in communication.
Why enter?
The top two submissions will win the opportunity to present their work at a Landscape Connections webinar in 2025, plus a one-year free IaleUK membership. Membership benefits are explained here.
By entering, entrants agree that the award will be published on our website and advertised in our newsletter. Publication on our website will support applications to further postgraduate study or job applications, particularly for those moving from education into policy or practice.
Eligibility
The ialeUK MSc Research Award is open to all MSc students based at UK institutions.
The research must be related landscape ecology. To check whether your research fits into the theme of Landscape Ecology, refer to our Landscape Learning pages here.
For the 2024 award, students must have been enrolled as a full or part-time MSc student in the 2023/24 academic year.
Judging process
Upon submission, identifying details (e.g. institution, name) will be removed from the documents.
The entries will be allocated to a member from our panel of judges, all of whom will be members of the IaleUK committee who work in research and practice. In the scenario where the entrant has received supervisory support from a member of the ialeUK committee, a different committee member will be chosen.
The judges will mark each submission according to a predefined criteria and will decide the winner during a final discussion.
The predefined criteria are as follows:
- The background to the topic is explained in a style that is understandable to non-academics.
- The main finding of the research is clear
- The implications and importance of the main findings are highlighted clearly
- The formatting of the brief is professional and engaging
How to enter
- Create a 1-page brief and on a second page, insert your image.
- Save the two pages as .pdf
- Download and complete the entry form here.
Email the entry document and entry form to ECR rep, Caitlin Lewis, on students@iale.uk with the subject header “ialeUK MSc Award Entry”.
Deadline
The deadline for entries is 23.59 (BST) on 1st October 2024. The winner will be announced at the annual ialeUK Bunce Symposium in mid-November. The winner will be informed by email.
Questions
If you have any queries, please contact ECR rep, Caitlin Lewis, on students@iale.uk
GDPR Statement
Personal details (name and institution) will be shared publicly in the case where an individual wins a prize. Email addresses will be used to register winners for free ialeUK membership. All other details will be disposed of by April 2025