We are delighted to announce Eleanor Howard – a Student Member – as the first winner of the Norah Simpson Scholarship. Eleanor, who holds a BSc in Geography, joins the University of East Anglia (UEA) this autumn on an MSc in Environmental Science. Earlier this year we reported that UEA had worked with former Institute of Water President Peter Simpson, CEO of Anglian Water, to launch a scholarship for those interested in pursuing postgraduate studies related to water. Peter himself received a grant to fund his MSc at UEA and did his thesis in part with Anglian Water, who then employed him in the labs at Whitlingham in Norwich. Peter’s time at UEA and the opportunity he was given inspired and enabled his career and Peter was keen to give others the same opportunity, particularly those who share his passion for water. Thanks to Peter’s generous donation, UEA and Peter established the Norah Simpson Scholarship, named after Peter’s Grandmother. Norah Simpson was a primary school teacher and guided Peter through much of his early education and this scholarship is in her honour. Peter said: “It is thanks to a scholarship that I have been able to pursue my passion for water, and I am thrilled that I have been able to give someone else that same opportunity. I am very pleased to welcome Eleanor as the first Norah Simpson Scholar and I wish her all the best with her studies.” Eleanor said: “I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge of the environment and I am particularly interested in how science is applied at a policy level. I am hoping to carry out my dissertation research abroad, if COVID-19 allows, and the scholarship will really help me make this a reality. As well as the financial support, I hope the scholarship will open up connections and opportunities that I otherwise wouldn’t have had. I am really honoured to have received the scholarship – I still can’t quite believe I was selected! I would like to say a huge thank you to Peter as this scholarship will undoubtedly make a big difference to my academic life.”
The scholarship of £5,000 is awarded annually to enable postgraduate students to study disciplines related to water at the University of East Anglia. Apply now for 2021/22 by emailing info@instituteofwater.org for an application form.
