The Women’s History Network is offering one £250 prize for a Masters dissertation on any aspect of women’s or gender history (though substantially focused on women) written during the 2024-2025 academic year. We welcome research on any period and place. We encourage entries from under-represented groups. The winner will be invited to write an overview of their dissertation for the WHN Blog.

Criteria for eligibility

• The nominated work must be written in English and have been submitted to a UK University during the academic year 2024/25.
• The dissertation must be an original piece of research undertaken by the applicant on women’s or gender history.
• The dissertation must be submitted as a PDF. It must be a double-spaced, word-processed document which uses a consistent and recognizable system of academic referencing. It should include a bibliography.
• The dissertation must be submitted anonymously, with all references to the candidate’s name and awarding institution removed.
• All applications must be accompanied by an entry form which can be downloaded below.
• All applicants must be members of the WHN.
• The MA dissertation should be between 10,000 and 25,000 words.
• Members of the WHN National Steering Committee are not eligible to apply.

All entries must be received by Friday 16 January 2026.

Please send a copy of your anonymised dissertation and entry form WHN-MA-prize-entry-form 24-25 to: prizesandawards@womenshistorynetwork.org.

We will acknowledge receipt of your entry; if you have not heard from us within seven working days of submitting your application, please send it again. Any questions or queries can be addressed to the above address.