The best and brightest students from around the world are gathering in Dublin, today, for the annual Global Undergraduate Awards, supported by Ireland’s Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, as well as the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland. The Global Undergraduate Awards is the world’s leading pan-discipline academic awards programme, celebrating future change-makers and the finest in undergraduate research.

This year, thousands of students from 345 universities worldwide submitted their undergraduate research to the programme. Over 500 academics volunteered in a three-month-long judging process, evaluating submissions for academic rigour and originality, and have identified the top entrant in each of the 25 categories.

The winners represent the top 1% of undergraduate talent, and we are immensely proud to showcase their achievements. The calibre of their work highlights the extraordinary depth of talent and dedication to academic excellence across the globe. The 2024 winners have set a remarkable standard for future generations, and we eagerly look forward to celebrating their ongoing success.

This coming week, the winners are in Dublin to formally receive their Thomas Clarkson Medal and participate in the Global Undergraduate Awards’ annual Summit.

This three-day event will provide opportunities for networking, building connections, discussing future ambitions, and sharing innovative ideas.

The event will feature keynote speakers from diverse fields, including business, broadcasting, and academia. Highlights include Val Quinn, former Global Customer Director at Coca-Cola Ireland; Aishah Akorede, founder of Recrowned Ireland and motivational speaker, model and Miss Universe Ireland 2023; and Andrew Lowe, acclaimed Irish film producer and co-founder of Element Pictures.

Commenting on the upcoming Summit, Executive Director for the Global Undergraduate Awards, Dr Garret Maher, said,

"This marks the 16th cycle of the Global Undergraduate Awards, with the programme continuing to expand and engage new countries each year. The quality of research and papers submitted by students has been exceptional, reflecting the high standards of our universities. We are particularly proud that three Global Winners represent Ireland this year in the fields of Law, Linguistics, and Nursing."

The Chairman, Jim Barry went on to say;

"The Global Undergraduate Awards aim to empower students, helping them to realise their full potential and instilling the confidence to use their intellect in building a brighter future for all. At the undergraduate level, few opportunities exist for pioneering students to receive recognition beyond their own institutions. The Global Undergraduate Awards seek to change this by helping students understand that, like the medal’s namesake, their academic contributions can have a global impact."

In Thomas Clarkson’s own words;

“Change begins with a single voice [and] the strongest weapon…education.”

- Thomas Clarkson, 1760 - 1846. English abolitionist, and a leading campaigner against the slave trade in the British Empire.

Homegrown Winners:

• Anne White O’Brien, University of Galway, Law
• Judit Casas i Riu, Trinity College Dublin, Linguistics
• Richard Croft, Ulster University, Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Healthcare

These exceptional Irish students join their peers from across the world in receiving this top honour, representing their universities on a global stage.

Global Winners by Category

• Sara Al Mahmoud & Maryan Al Qassim – Architecture & Design – American University of Sharjah
• Amelia Ong Tsi Ying – Art History & Theory – Nanyang Technological University
• Beverley Cheah – Business & Economics – University of Warwick
• Christy Yu-Qing Xie – Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences – Western University
• James Kenneth – Classical Studies & Archaeology – Western University
• Bruno Florentino – Computer Science – University of São Paulo
• Joshua Hurdiss – Earth & Environmental Sciences – University of Sheffield
• Alethea Yeo Yen Ning – Education – Nanyang Technological University
• Balvinder Kaur Dhillon – Engineering – Queen Mary, University of London
• Koh Horn Ray – History – Nanyang Technological University
• Anne White O’Brien – Law – University of Galway
• Sean Phang Kia Ann – Life Sciences – Nanyang Technological University
• Judit Casas i Riu – Linguistics – Trinity College Dublin
• Nurul Syahirah Nadirah binte Noorrisham – Literature – Nanyang Technological University
• Hongshu Wang – Mass Communications – Western University
• Mikko Seppälä – Mathematics & Physics – University of Helsinki
• Muriel Heitsch – Medical Sciences – Karolinska Institute
• Rosina Lui – Music, Film & Theatre – University College Utrecht
• Richard Croft – Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Healthcare – Ulster University
• Rachael Li – Philosophy – University of Sydney
• Kai Ingot Damai Siallagan – Politics & International Relations – Queen's University at Kingston
• Diana Maria Urian – Psychology – Western University
• Avery Huang – Social Sciences: Anthropology & Cultural Studies – Yale-NUS College
• Elizabeth Ng Si Jie – Social Sciences: Sociology & Social Policy – London School of Economics & Political Science
• Evie Rose Thornton – Visual Arts – University of Dundee

All winners and bio’s can be seen here - Winners Page

The Global Undergraduates Awards was initially founded in 2008 as an all-Ireland programme and in 2012 the programme expanded to accept submissions from the top universities in the world. It has expanded year on year to reach universities and colleges worldwide, accepting English-language submissions from students in any Institution of Higher Education in the world.

The 2025 entry cycle opens on 14th November 2024, inviting undergraduate students to submit their research across any of the 25 categories. Each of the 25 Global Winners will have the opportunity to network, present their research, and publish their work. Winners are fully sponsored to attend the Summit, with all expenses covered, including Summit tickets, flights, and accommodation.