Dundee students among Europe’s elite

Graduates from the University of Dundee have been named among Europe’s elite after the winners were announced for the Global Undergraduate Awards 2020.

Psychology graduate Megan Veillard and Rebecca Reid, who studied English, have been named the top undergraduate researchers in Europe in their respective fields.

Megan, whose dissertation focused on the decision-making processes behind weight management, said that the honour would help her future career prospects.

“Being the European winner for psychology is very meaningful to me,” she said. “It feels great to still be getting recognition for my dissertation more than a year after submitting it.

“I am currently working as an Assistant Psychologist for NHS Tayside, with hopes of applying to a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology in the next few years. The recognition from this award, and the research skills I have gained, will help me in progressing to future studies and, hopefully, achieving my career goals.”

Rebecca, an English MA graduate whose research concentrates on the relationship between modernist literature and its impact on literary and visual culture, added, “It's fantastic to have my work recognised at this level and to get the amazing opportunity of connecting and sharing ideas with other students and graduates across the globe.”

A further three Dundee students were Highly Commended for their work at the awards, which recognises and promotes the best work by young researchers around the world. The three students were Kirsty McIntosh (History), Oluwaseyi Jesusanmi (Life Sciences), and Jan-Georg Knappe (Philosophy).

Professor Blair Grubb, Vice-Principal (Education) at the University, said, “I would like to congratulate our winners, as well as those Dundee representatives who were highly commended.

“These awards are contested by students and graduates from around the world and it is a testament to the quality of teaching here at Dundee that we are represented so strongly.”