The IHBC has launched a new website for its celebrated annual Gus Astley Student Award, helping raise awareness of the IHBC’s support for students across the historic and built environment disciplines that underpin conservation; see LINK
The website reviews the recent growth in the awards, documenting their impact, while also noting the most successful submissions. It also explains to students how the awards work, and how to make submissions using the IHBC’s website resources.
Since the inception of the awards, Devon DeCelles, IHBC’s outgoing Membership Services Officer, has guided applicants and overseen their presentations. These take place at the IHBC’s ‘Fringe School’, the open and free forum linked to the IHBC’s Annual School, where selected candidates present and discuss their work with fellow students and established conservation professionals.
Devon DeCelles said: “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to be part of this IHBC initiative. I know from first hand, through my work with contributors, just how much the award has meant to them, whether winners or not. It’s helped students focus on their work, yet there is almost no interruption to their ongoing studies as applicants simply submit their original course work. Tutors and course directors also appreciate the fact that their students’ efforts are rewarded at a national and professional level, while as tutors they have no additional administrative duties arising from it. And of course the IHBC gets to raise its profile with, and enjoy the work of, up-and-coming conservation professionals.”
Eddie Booth, IHBC President, said: “Gus gave so much to the IHBC, particularly through his encouragement of newer members, the ‘Astleys’, as the awards are becoming known, are a fitting way for us to remember Gus and to invest in the future of conservation.”
Bob Kindred MBE, Chair of the Gus Astley Fund Trustees, said: “I am delighted that the Gus Astley Student Awards scheme has established itself so quickly and is attracting such a high calibre of submissions in what is now its third year. This demonstrates that even in these difficult times, the sector is attracting new practitioners of great potential and ability. We hope that the Awards are also a valuable stimulation for conservation education. All this would have delighted Gus, who was so assiduous in supporting and encouraging those in the early stages of their careers.”
Link to the IHBC Gus Astley Annual Student Award web site HERE
