A day of celebration as the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund marks 5th anniversary

The Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund is celebrating its 5th anniversary having given away more than £1m to fund graduates from underrepresented backgrounds to study doctorates in physics.

The innovative fund has been made possible thanks to Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell’s generous donation of her £2.3m Breakthrough Prize for the discovery of pulsars.

At an event in London today, hosted by Tom Grinyer, CEO at the Institute of Physics, and attended by Dame Jocelyn, a group of current and previous awardees came together to celebrate the exciting milestone and present some of their funded work.

Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell said: “It’s great £1m has already gone to support people. It’s always fascinating to have the opportunity to hear what the scholars who have been funded have done. They are amazing and have done such fantastic work. The programme is doing wonders for the image of physics, and it has needed it.

“I’m happy with what has been achieved so far. It has funded some remarkable young people to do PhDs, which will make a huge difference to them as individuals. And as we fund more and more it should make a difference to physics in this country and I’m very happy to see that.”

Raymond Isichei, who is studying for a PhD in global modifications of general relativity, said: “The award has made a world of difference. Like me, many of the awardees come from unrepresented groups, and for me this award means everything. If you are considering applying trust yourself, you’ll add so much as an awardee, back yourself and apply.”

Astrophysicist Alix Freckelton, who is researching solar-type stars and the potential earth twins near them, commented: “Getting the fund means I’ve been able to come into the office every day and be with my colleagues to gain the same opportunities they have. Being around my peers and supported by people is invaluable to me.”

Joanna Sakowska, one of the first awardees who has now completed her PhD, exploring dark matter and ultra faint galaxies, reflects: “It has been an amazing process, not only following your dream and doing your PhD, every day you wake up excited. I’m also helping others achieve their dream through the platform the scholarship gives you. To talk to other people, go into schools and inspire the next generation, you are making a really important difference.“

The fund, managed by the Institute of Physics, is open to full or part-time graduates wishing to study towards a doctorate in physics from groups that are currently underrepresented in physics. It also provides top-up funding for eligible students already underway with their doctorate and has so far funded 37 awardees.

The next round of applications opens on 1 October 2024.