Students Awarded Prestigious Travel Scholarships to Explore Sustainability

From building new sustainable structures for community use to exploring advanced methods of waste disposal to tackle the world’s plastic problem – two students will pursue studies focussed on a more sustainable future after securing prestigious travel scholarships.

The scholarships of £2,500 each have been awarded to third year University of Lincoln Architecture student Tiffany Worrall and second year Product Design student Bethany Meehan.

The John Roberts Scholarship, named after the internationally recognised Lincoln architect, is awarded every two years and was established to encourage young people pursuing a career in the arts, architecture and design to engage with and experience other cultures.

The scholarships, which are overseen by the Lincolnshire Branch of the English Speaking Union (ESU), are open to all those born in Lincolnshire or studying in Lincolnshire schools, universities and other educational establishments.

Tiffany Worrall, aged 22 from Comberton in Cambridgeshire, will travel to Bali where she will learn more about the ‘pop-up Architecture’ which is being used to provide shelter for refugees and victims of natural disasters. She will also be involved in the restoration of historic buildings, securing their use for future generations.

“I am fascinated with Hindu temple architecture as well as the humanitarian side of architecture,” said Tiffany, who will begin her travels this June.

“I chose to travel to Bali because I am half Indonesian and can speak the language. During my trip I will be working and volunteering for a company called Green Lion doing construction and renovation work for the local people to support building new sustainable structures for community use. We will also renovate existing community buildings, Hindu temples, and improve local infrastructure.

“These projects are undertaken to support the developmental goals of schools, orphanages, community centres and recreational facilities. I will be able to give something back to the English Speaking Union by sharing what we have achieved over there, which can in turn help to promote and encourage other students to strive for what they believe in and to be proactive.

“I would like to thank the English Speaking Union for this invaluable opportunity that will allow me to further my education.”

Tiffany submitted her own illustrations of Bali architecture to support her submission for the scholarship and these drawings, along with those she creates while in Bali, will form an exhibition when she returns to Lincoln.

Bethany Meehan, aged 20 from Much Wenlock in Shropshire, will travel to the Netherlands and Denmark where she will spend a month learning more about the country’s advanced waste disposal methods.

Bethany will also attend a sustainability festival and conduct a study into the design of materials that could be used as plastic alternatives, the results of which will be used to inform her final year dissertation project.

Bethany said: “I feel very privileged to have been given this award and I am so grateful for the support of the English Speaking Union. I am very excited at the prospect of furthering my studies through this trip.”

Sir Michael Graydon, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Branch of the English Speaking Union, said: “Both Tiffany and Beth had thought deeply about their application, were highly motivated, and interviewed very well. Giles Walter and I were in no doubt that they both deserved an award and John Roberts who was consulted was in total agreement.”