The Rob Clarke Awards (original) (raw)

Recognising excellence in undergraduate physiology projects.

The Rob Clarke Awards are now closed for 2024.

Who can apply?

Undergraduate and Master’s Members or Postgraduate Members within the first year after their undergraduate degree.

We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity. The Society welcomes applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minoritised communities and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we support and help broaden our perspectives.

The Rob Clarke Awards were one of the highlights of our 2023 Member Forum held on Friday 1 December 2023. See the 2023 winners here.

What is the award?

• This award is given independently for the best abstracts and the best poster(s) presented of undergraduate research
• Entrants selected for a Rob Clarke Abstract Award will be invited to present their work as a poster at the Member Forum on 29 November 2024
• A panel of judges will review the posters and present the best project(s) with a Rob Clarke Presentation Award
• All presenters receive a certificate

How do I apply?

Applications for 2024 are now closed.

Applications for 2025 will open on 24 June 2025 and close on 6 September 2025.

Rob Clarke (1956 – 2004) made an important contribution to physiology and to the life of The Physiological Society, as a member of the Committee (now called Council). He was a hands-on research scientist and regular attendee at Society meetings where he presented more than 60 communications over the years in his own unique laid-back style. As well as a committed researcher, Rob was an innovative teacher who taught physiology across the board at undergraduate level, and was involved with many Society initiatives to engage and train young people in physiology.

The Rob Clarke Awards honour his commitment to undergraduate physiology and to nurturing the next generation of physiologists.

1. Entrants must be an Undergraduate and Master’s Member or a Postgraduate Member within the first year after their undergraduate degree (or have submitted a membership application at the time of entering the Rob Clarke Awards).
2. Work must have been carried out as an undergraduate, and can include summer, final year or Integrated Masters projects. Research undertaken after graduation would not be eligible.
3. Recent (first year) postgraduates must have completed their research as an undergraduate and their higher status will be taken into account in the judging process.
4. All types of project will be considered (including science communication, undergraduate ambassador and library projects), as long as they are hypothesis-driven and show data collection and analytical skills.
5. The supervisor must approve the abstract being submitted for presentation.
6. The abstract must have been written by the student (it is acknowledged that abstracts may not include the final results and conclusions of a project).
7. The abstract must have only one author: the student. Projects completed jointly by more than one undergraduate are eligible but each student must write and submit their own abstract for the Awards, and describe their contribution to the project as well.
8. The abstract must follow these guidelines.

For further information, please contact grants@physoc.org