We would like to send a huge congratulations to all our final year students on their graduation from the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences last week.

As 89% of all our graduates go on to secure employment or further study, we know they’re about to embark on the exciting next chapter in their lives and careers. They now join a thriving community of Earth and Environmental Sciences alumni who keep up to date with us on the LinkedIn.

For all students across the country, the last few months have presented big challenges. These have demanded rapid adjustments to studying under the unforeseen restrictions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For university students this came just as they were finalising their important research projects, and just as revision for end of year exams was starting up. Even so, all our students showed admirable resilience as they adapted to the online world and persevered to complete their learning and assessment.

Of particular note are the winners of this year’s School prizes, and special recognition goes out to the winners.

Evan Llewelyn Davies Prize awarded for best performance in the final year: Jamie Foster (BSc Geology), Nourah Alsagga (BSc Exploration Geology) and Manon Carpenter (MSci Geology).

Micropalaeontological Society Prize awarded to the student(s) with the best performance(s) in Marine Microfossils: Harriet Dingle and Mia Tarrant, who both had identical outcomes.

Marine Geography Prize awarded for best performance in final year Marine Geography: Maximillian Sealy.

Robert Kidd Prize, donated by the family of Professor Robert Kidd, awarded for best performance: Steffan Brosschot (BSc Environmental Geosciences), Rory Rolt (BSc Environmental Geography), David Whitfield (MSci Environmental Geoscience),
Jessica Macha (MSci Environmental Geography).

Kelvin Rhodes Memorial Prize, donated by the family of Kelvin Rhodes, awarded for best BSc independent field-based report: Jack Davies (Geology), Robert Lauder (Exploration Geology), Steffan Brosschot (Environmental Geosciences), Rhys Moore (Environmental Geography).

Adrian Cramp Prize, donated by the family of Dr Adrian Cramp, awarded for excellence in Marine and Coastal research/ the best final year independent project on a marine or coastal topic: Anna Weatherley.

Livesey and Henderson Prize awarded for excellence in research into Ocean Resources Management: Niamh Young.

Cox Medal in commemoration of Professor H. Cox, a previous head of the Geology Department Outstanding and best performance in the Graduating Year: Maximillian Sealy.

Top student on the MSc in Applied Environmental Geology: Tamba Komba.

Stephen Farrell Award for outstanding contribution to the School during 2019-20: Jamie Price.

Best overall performances in year one, an external award from the Geological Society: Louis Pyper (Geology), Maxwell Porter (Exploration Geology),  Phillip Penning (Environmental Geoscience).

Best overall performances in year two, an external award from the Geological Society: Mohammed Al Ahmad (Geology – the Palaeontological Association prize for the highest mark in Palaeoecology), Amy Pryor (Exploration Geology), Alex Minnigin (Marine Geography), Grace Kinnell (Geology - Mineralogical Society Prize for the highest mark in Solid Earth).

The efforts of all students in completing progression assessments were also remarkable at such a difficult time, and we look forward to welcoming them back for the next academic year.

Through these unprecedented times, we have been able to take stock and learn so much about our strengths and capabilities. We are now in the process of developing new learning approaches for all our modules, which will enable us to safely work together and to continue to enjoy the exciting opportunities that learning Earth and Environmental Sciences at Cardiff can offer.

In the meantime, we wish all of our students an enjoyable summer vacation and say once again, a huge well done for your perseverance and congratulations for your achievements.