The School of Social Sciences and Philosophy hosted its 3rd Annual Student Prize Ceremony on December 8th in the Synge Theatre, bringing together more than 120 students, families, staff, alumni, and guests to celebrate academic excellence in Economics, Philosophy, Political Science, and Sociology.
Across the evening, 33 School awards were presented, including undergraduate and postgraduate prizes, as well as recognition of College Foundation Scholars and Gold Medal recipients. The ceremony highlighted the commitment and achievement of students throughout the School.
The ceremony also saw the announcement of the new Dermot McAleese Prize, introduced by distinguished alumna Anke Heydenreich. Established in 2025 in honour of the late Professor Dermot McAleese, former Whately Professor of Economics, the prize recognises his profound contributions to teaching and his commitment to nurturing students in macroeconomics. Beginning in 2025/26, the prize will recognise the top two Senior Fresh students in macroeconomics each year.
In his opening remarks, Professor Francis O`Toole, Director of External Relations, congratulated students and thanked the benefactors whose support makes the prizes possible. Members of the McAleese family were also welcomed as guests for the announcement of the new prize.
Speakers also included Paul Scanlon, Undergraduate Director of Teaching and Learning, and Professor Vinny Wade, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Senior Lecturer, who congratulated the awardees on their achievements, paid tribute to Professor McAleese’s legacy and acknowledged the importance of donor support across the School.
A reception in the Senior Common Room followed, giving students and their families the opportunity to continue celebrations with staff and guests.
Department of Economics Winners
(Prize winners pictured below)Rachel Dunne: P.J. Drudy Prize in Economics
Henrietta Igbinomwanhia: John O'Hagan Medal & Prize
Niamh Millward: Bastable Prize
Eli Van Egeraat: John O'Hagan Prize in Economics (SF)
Francis Wolfe:Terence Gorman M.Sc. Economics Prize (PG Prize)
(Prize winners not pictured below)
Siobhan Brosnan: Whately Memorial Prize and Harry Hartford Capstone Award
Piotr Gorecki: Terence Gorman Junior Sophister Econometrics Prize
Mark Heanue: Bastable Prize
Department of Philosophy Winners
(Prize winners pictured below)Samuel Roles: John Isaac Beare Prize In Philosophy
Fiona Conner: John Isaac Beare Prize In Philosophy
George Crittenden: John Isaac Beare Prize In Philosophy
Eva Hendley: John Isaac Beare Prize In Philosophy
Nora Mossing Krogsgaard – Jensen: John Henry Bernard Prizes
Giorgia Carli: John Henry Bernard Prizes
Jack Palmer: Wray Prize
Claudia Friel: William Lyons Prize (pictured with Prof William Lyons)
(Prize winners not pictured below)
James Radford: Harry Hartford Capstone Award and Arthur Aston Luce Memorial Prize
Diarmuid Sheehan: Madeleine Farrell Memorial Prize in Philosophy of Mind
Anand Shukla-Parekh: John Henry Bernard Prizes
Department of Political Science Winners
(Prize winners pictured below)
Isaac Casey: Michael Gallagher Prize In Political Science
Tara Dempsey: Trinity Trust Prize
Chioma Ezimako: Harry Hartford Capstone Award
Lily Fitzgerald: Michael Marsh Prize (pictured with Prof Michael Marsh)
Michael Flaherty: Eddie Hyland Prize (pictured with Prof Eddie Hyland)
Ylva Kopinec: Patrick Keatinge Undergraduate Prize
(Prize winners not pictured below)
Aaron Clarke Tighe: Ronald J. Hill Prize
Department of Sociology Winners
(Prize winners pictured below)Chloe O'Hanlon: Sociology Dissertation Prize and Harry Hartford Capstone Award
Katie Walsh-Fitzsimon: Sociology Trinity Alumni Prize
(Prize winners not pictured below)
Sarah Doyle: John Jackson Memorial Prize
Cathal Lacey: Sociology Dissertation Prize
Foundation Scholars
(Winners in attendance pictured below)Giorgia Carli; Margherita Gagliardi; Berenice Guerrero; Malachy McKenna; Abhainn Obaoill-Coyle; James Ryan; Bohuslav Vrba.
(Prize winners not pictured below)
Anand Shukla-Parekh; Aaron Clark-Tighe; Rameen Fatima; Ben Kieran-Glennon; John Lonergan.
Gold Medal Winners
(Prize winners pictured below)
Anna Brugger; Sophie Cantwell-Kelly; Anna Coughlan; Patricia Finlay; Jude Holland Phelan; Eva Layte; Niamh Millward; Chloe O'Hanlon.
(Prize winners not pictured below)
Siobhan Brosnan; Maria Cooper; Ludovica Galasso; Sara Hippmann; Cathal Lacey; Janne Vervaeke.
Speakers and Special Guests
Speakers and special guests at the event pictured below: Professor Francis O`Toole, Director of External Relations; Professor Vinny Wade, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Senior Lecturer; Alumna Anke Heydenreich; the family of the late Professor Dermot McAleese, pictured with Professor Frances O`Toole, Eileen Punch (Trinity Development and Alumni) and Paul Scanlon, Undergraduate Director of Teaching and Learning.
Senior Common Room Reception
A reception in the Senior Common Room followed, giving students, their families and friends the opportunity to continue celebrations with staff and guests.
