Our Liberal Arts third- and fourth- year finalists were awarded their degrees on Monday 12 July 2021. The past two years have been particularly challenging and we are so proud of everyone who has graduated this year.

To celebrate our graduates we held a virtual graduation event on Friday 16 July 2021. During the event, our staff and students shared stories and anecdotes and the following prizes were awarded:

• The Liberal Arts Achievement Prize: Ben Gallagher

• The Dissertation Prize: Molly Samwells

• The Cathia Jenainati Prize: Olamide Ajisafe and Paula Strubel

"I feel really pleased to get this award and encouraged because I was able to do it by following my interests from the start. I’m also happy to get it from a department that understands that grades are not the most authentic sign of success. It’s a great treasure to have felt supported in other successes and been around to see others succeed. I think of the conversations we’ve had as Liberal Arts students and the work we’ve done together as real blessings."

Ben Gallagher, Liberal Arts Achievement Prize Winner

"My dissertation examined how gender identities in the UK are reproduced by the media during times of crisis. I compared archival newspapers about the 1918 influenza pandemic to current editorials about COVID-19 to show how the media naturalises through discourse, certain characteristics as inherently ‘female’ or ‘male’. This reinforces the power hierarchy which confines women to the role of mother, housewife and carer. A huge thank you to my tutors for their unwavering support, as well as my peers for creating such a welcoming community and academically stimulating environment."

Molly Samwells, Dissertation Prize Winner

"Thank you so much for this award, it means the world! I'm so grateful to the department for allowing me the creative freedom to represent the department through my blog posts and videos. It's so nice to have my hard work recognised, and I am honoured to accept this award. The Liberal Arts department has given me so much over the years and I am so glad that I have been able to give even a little bit back."

Olamide Ajisafe, Cathia Jenainati Prize Winner

"I am honoured to win the Cathia Jenainati Prize together with Olamide. I have loved working with and helping my peers and the staff through the Student-Staff Liaison Committee, in staff meetings and at the Undergraduate Studies Committee meetings. I am sad that my time at Warwick is over, but it has been an honour to have the opportunity to contribute to building and enhancing Liberal Arts. I look forward to keeping in touch and seeing how it will continue to grow and strengthen over the coming years."

Paula Strubel, Cathia Jenainati Prize Winner

Congratulations Ben, Molly, Olamide, and Paula - your hard work has not gone unnoticed and we enjoyed being able to share your wonderful achievements in this way.

Above: Staff and students during the virtual graduation event