Congratulations to the winners of the Monika Tesarova Award
We’re delighted to announce that due to the excellence of their applications, unusually, 8 students have been awarded funding from the Monika Tesarova Bursary Fund, which allows them to take up an academic or learning opportunity that they would ordinarily be precluded from doing due to financial constraints.
The award winners are named below, with brief descriptions of how they benefited from their award.
Jude Mahmoud (DPhil English) attended the Blake Society’s Printmaking Workshop, which provided hands-on experience with Blake’s unique printing method. A crucial component of Jude’s doctoral research is understanding Blake’s unique printing techniques, as he personally produced his books and altered them over time to reflect his shifting perspectives.
“The practical experience gained from this course will, I am sure, enhance the depth of my research by affording me new insight into the intricacies of Blake’s printing methods. Attending the workshop was a very special opportunity, and I am sincerely thankful to the Monika Tesarova Award for making it possible.”
Muhang Li (MSc Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition) was able to present at the American Association for Applied Linguistics 2025 Conference, where he showcased his research to a diverse audience of experts and peers in the field.
“Being part of an international conference helps build crucial professional and research connections that can lead to collaborations, mentorship, and opportunities for future projects. I’m grateful that this Award helped make my attendance possible.”
Siddharth Narayanan (MBA) participated in the FinTech and AI International Elective in London, where he met with thought leaders in the FinTech landscape, including Directors and Co-founders from Bank of America, Wise, Zilch and SEEDRS.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity this funding gave me to engage with such innovative and inspiring speakers and companies during the course.”
Tavish Traut (DPhil Experimental Psychology) was able to pay the membership fee for the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), which is a requirement for researchers travelling to present at the annual SfN conference, the most important annual conference in Neuroscience.
“As I enter the final year of my DPhil, it is crucial I present the novel research I’ve produced to other interested scientists to both implement important feedback and develop my scientific network to enable future collaborations and postdoctoral opportunities. Presenting my work at a major conference like SfN’s Neuroscience 2025 demonstrates to future employers my engagement in productive science, something very important for securing a post-doctoral position after graduation.”
Xiujuan Wang (DPhil Education) attended two important academic events: the Research and Findings from the Skills and Employment Survey 2024 and the Centre for Global Higher Education (CGHE) 10th Annual Conference.
“Both events had a tangible and positive impact on my academic journey. I have re-established crucial professional connections, developed new methodological insights, and significantly enhanced my confidence in communicating my research. These experiences underscored the quality of my data and the wider policy relevance of my work, further motivating me to complete my DPhil with renewed energy and clarity.”
Zana Mody (DPhil English) was able to cover some of the costs of attending the prestigious Institute of World Literature (IWL) Program at Harvard University. The program makes for an enriching one-month immersion at the IWL, with teaching, seminars, and colloquiums run by leading scholars and academics in the field of world literature.
“The opportunity to attend the IWL will undoubtedly enrich and develop my doctoral research, as well as develop my critical and analytical skills as a scholar of postcolonial and world literatures.”
Veronika Denner (MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology) and Katarzyna Galka (MSc by Research in Women’s and Reproductive Health) also received Monika Tesarova Awards, which helped cover the costs of their attendance at international conferences, where they will present their research. Both students recently celebrated their success at winning the Anne McLaren Award. Read our news story about their winning the Award to find out more about how they are working to advance knowledge in women’s health.