PhD Student Awarded Prize for Research

A PhD candidate in the Centre for Irish Studies at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, has been awarded a prestigious bursary for his research on Irish political history, sponsored by the British Association for Irish Studies (BAIS). Mike Mecham, who is a second year PhD student, is researching the role of Protestant Labour activists in Belfast between 1880 and 1920, with particular interest in their leader William Walker and his place in the British Labour Party. A key aim of the research will be to complete the first major biography of Mr Walker. The Postgraduate Bursary Award Scheme supports research into new or neglected areas of Irish culture and history and Mike was one of five candidates to be awarded between £300 and £500 towards his research. The awards were presented at the Irish Embassy in Knightsbridge, London by His Excellency Mr Daniel Mulhall, the Irish Ambassador to Britain, on Wednesday 28th May. Mike was excited about his achievement and said, “I am delighted to have been honoured in this way by my peers in the Irish Studies community in Britain. It is greatly encouraging to my research at St Mary's.” The Centre for Irish Studies at St Mary’s was formed in 1991 and hosts a number of seminars, conferences and guest lectures related to Irish culture and history. The Centre also offers an MA in Irish Studies and has close links with the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith.