Gemma Hale
Awarded the I G Powell Memorial Prize for Best 2nd year History
I am extremely proud and grateful to have been awarded this prize and I plan to spend my prize money on books for my third year!
Being part of the department
I have had an incredibly positive two years with the history department at Royal Holloway. What first drew me to this university was the small size and close-knit feel of the department as I felt that I would be able to get to know professors personally and I would matter as a student rather than just a number. This has definitely reflected my experience here, and I am especially grateful to my two personal tutors, Dr Alex Windscheffel and Dr Paris lChronakis, who have given me so much support over the last two years. I have also become familiar with my module professors, whose passion for history and willingness to offer support both academically and personally have helped and inspired me invaluably.
I am constantly impressed by the wide variety of specialisms covered by department academics and this has allowed me to expand my knowledge beyond the western-based history covered in school.
A bit about Gemma
I enjoy all aspects of history but I especially love the Cold War period and the Vietnam War as well as colonial history.
Due to the nature of 2020 being an especially challenging year for everyone, I found the latter half of second year to be very difficult at times as teaching was moved online and we all went into lockdown. As someone who enjoys all aspects of campus life and socialising whilst studying, it was strange to not be allowed in the library and cafes where I used to study with friends. Furthermore, as a recipient of the Royal Holloway and Errington Scholarship in my first year, I put pressure on myself to achieve my potential and I am so thrilled that my hard work in second year paid off despite the adversities brought by Covid-19.
I am very excited to move into my third year where I will be studying the British Empire in popular memory and ‘The Bomb’ as my dissertation module.
Instagram - gemz_hale
