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Enter our writing competition for students.

The 2024 writing competition is open for entries from all students.

Deadline: 31 December 2024.

Award topicDescription
Award criteriaAny article about an entomological topic that would be of interest to the general public. The article should be easy to read, in a popular style and no longer than 800 words (not including any reference list).
PrizeWinner £400, runner up £300, both articles published in ‘Antenna’.
Certificate 
Free RES membership for 1 year for 1st place
EligibilityUndergraduates and postgraduates on both full and part-time study, anywhere in the world.
CycleAnnual, entries accepted until 31st December, winner/s announced early in the following year.
AdjudicationThree Fellows of the Society.
EntryEmail with essay attached as Microsoft Word file, plus:
– your name and address (with postcode)
– the name and address (with postcode) of your academic institution
– your Student Identification (either copy of student ID card or letter from institution)
to info@royensoc.co.uk.

2023 winners

1st Prize – Juan Carlos Cambronero-Heinrichs, Univerisity of Padua, Italy. “Reclaiming mariola‘s wings” 

2nd Prize – Eric Jackson, Columbia University, United States. “A God on Six Legs

3rd Prize – Altrim Mamuti, Columbia University, United States. “From Freedom to Boxes: A Journey Unchecked

2022 winners

1st Prize – Duran Nanson, Harper Adams University. “Could the pygmy hog-sucking louse be the new mascot of conservation?

2nd Prize – Alexander Wellington, Cardiff University. “Maggots: we deserve equal respect

3rd Prize – Gaia Mortier, University of Reading. “To Flea or Not To Flea: The Curious History of Flea Circuses

2021 winners

1st Prize – Leah Fitzpatrick, Oxford Brookes University. “British Press Association vs the Noble False Widow spider

2nd Prize – Ashley Dear, Harper Adams University. “‘Bio’-Mimicry Is the Highest Form of Flattery

3rd Prize – Amy Farrow, Harper Adams University. “Choose your own evolutionary pathway’ – a brief exploration of the evolution and diversity of four major insect orders

2020 winners

1st Prize – Zeke Rowe, University of Bristol. “Fighting on a miniature front

2nd Prize – Jennifer Newell, Harper Adams University. “Bug Business

3rd Prize – Robin Hutchinson, University of Reading. “Work smarter, not harder: The parasitic plan of the cuckoo bumblebee queen

2019 winners

1st Prize – Christina Conroy, University of Greenwich. “The ANTicipation for a trip which BLOWed

2nd Prize – Amy Carter, Harper Adams University “The Long-Lost Tale of the Mother Earwig

3rd Prize – Rebecca Sim Shu Yu, Royal Veterinary College “Mozzy’s Christmas Wishes

2019 runners up

Three runners up were awarded:

2018 winners

1st Prize – Tara Sedgwick, Harper Adams University “Plenty of Insects

2nd Prize – Abigail Enston, Harper Adams University “Zombie Antpocalypse

3rd Prize – Faith Akinyi Obange, University of Nairobi “An unlikely ally: The greater waxmoth to the rescue…again?

2018 runners up

Two runners up were awarded:

2017 winners

1st Prize – James Fage, Harper Adams University. “Toxic teamwork and the Müllerian mimicry mystery

2nd Prize – Maggie Gill, Harper Adams University. “A sad day at the office

3rd Prize – Rhiannon Dowling, Imperial College London. “1 Star Bee & Bee Review

2017 runners up

Two runners up were awarded:

See also