We are delighted to announce the winner of the Undergraduate Dissertation Prize 2025-2026 is Esther Hughes for “Exploring the materiality of the medieval noblewoman’s home: a comparison of the inventories of Alice Chaucer and Margery de la Beche”. The judges felt this was a “Rich, compelling dissertation which undertakes a close and detailed analysis of two medieval inventories. Challenges historiography in an impressive way for an undergraduate dissertation and presents a compelling argument sustained throughout the dissertation”. Excellent work, Esther!
There were two high-commended entries: Kate Sorel for “Nunca Más un México sin Nosotras’ : How did Zapatista women redefine the meaning and practice of revolution?” The judges thought this was “Well-researched and engagingly written, the study provides a study of Zapatista women in the Mexican revolution. A great strength of the dissertation is the variety of source material utilised from archival material to oral histories. These are treated critically and carefully woven together to produce a feminist lens of the revolution. There is a reflective assessment of the historiography and the dissertation has a strong theoretical framework. Overall, an original and thought-provoking piece.” Well done, Kate!
And Charlotte Longdon for “The Girl’s Grievance is finally avenged’: Narratives of Sexual Violence During the Land Reform Campaign in China, 1949-1953”. Judges said: “An excellent analysis of sexual violence in post-war China (1949-53). A compelling picture is built up using a combination of official and press reports and visual media. The study is expertly framed in a critical reflection on relevant historiography. It is engagingly presented. A little more perhaps could have been said on the challenges of writing a history of sexual violence in China in this period but overall an impressive dissertation.” Well done, Charlotte!
This year we had seventeen entries for the Undergraduate Dissertation Prize, an increase on last years’ entries, which is wonderful. The judges were impressed with the high standard of submissions, the time periods covered and the wide-ranging topics explored. Thank you to everyone who entered. We very much enjoyed reading all the submissions!
