Harper Adams University Masters Student Wins 2022 Royal Entomological Society Student Award
An Entomology Masters student at Harper Adams University has been named the winner of the 2022 Royal Entomological Society Student Award.
Duran Nanson, who studies MSc Entomology at the University, secured the top spot in this year’s competition with her essay, Could the pygmy hog-sucking louse be the new mascot of conservation?
The essay explores the importance of entomology to conservation efforts and the reasons people need to care more about the ‘tiny world below our feet’ and was inspired by a discussion Duran, from Sunderland, had with a recovery driver after her car suffered a puncture.
She said: “As a long-time enthusiast of the invertebrate world, I know it is easy to feel incredibly defeated by not only the general public perception of insects, but also the profound and overarching effect this has on research efforts.
“The article I wrote was a way of sorts for me to vent my frustrations, but it also helped me to face reality and come to terms with the fact that we cannot force the world to appreciate them in exactly the same way we do – all we can do is keep educating, informing, and striving for change.
“It really was a lot of fun to write and I didn’t think for a second that I would be a winner, but I’m absolutely thrilled and I hope it takes readers on the same journey I embarked upon when writing it, helping to address the complexities of conservation in a way that encourages them to keep fighting for all of the remarkable little creatures around us – even lice!”
The judges of this year’s competition were Adam Hart, Professor of Science Communication at the University of Gloucestershire and RES Trustee, and Dr Victoria Burton, who is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Natural History Museum, London as well as an RES Outreach Committee member.
Professor Hart said: “The standard of entries this year was incredible. There was such a variety of topics and approaches that it made judging even more difficult than usual. It is great to see such enthusiasm and talent – it is a great sign for the future of entomology!”
And Dr Burton added: “The quality of entries was very high again this year and I was pleased to see such a great range of topics, spanning the whole field of insect science.
“Many entries also showed great graphic design skills, with original illustrations by the author.”
Duran – who received a Royal Entomological Society MSc Scholarship to assist her Harper Adams studies – was inspired to pursue her Entomology Masters at the University after realising during her undergraduate degree she wanted to specialise and pursue a career in the subject.
She added: “Entomology has fascinated me for a while, but it was only really upon studying my BSc that I realised it was more than just a fleeting interest and something I really want to pursue in life.
“I chatted with a couple of past Harper Adams graduates and lecturers before applying, and they cemented in my mind that it was the right place to be.
“Studying has been intense sometimes, as to be expected, but the modules have been endlessly fascinating and engaging and have taught me so much – beyond even what I expected.
“Ultimately, I’m confident the hard work will pay off and set me up for the future in entomology that I’ve been dreaming of!”