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A University of Bolton research student and Laing O'Rourke construction site manager has received a double accolade at the September 2009 Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) conference.

Fred Rawlinson was awarded the Construction Information Quarterly prize, and also received an ARCOM presidential commendation, for a paper on construction industry health and safety which she presented to the conference.

In May, Fred received the prestigious Chartered Institute of Building Tony Gage Scholarship. Worth up to £10,000, the scholarship was set up to support the development of an individual who has the capability of becoming a leader in the construction sector. It will be used to support Fred's four-year research project into construction site culture and health and safety.

Now a site manager with Laing O'Rourke, the UK's largest privately owned construction company, Fred had her first experience of the sector when she worked as a secretary on a construction site. The offer of sponsorship by the company enabled her to launch her professional career by studying for a HNC in Building Studies at Bolton. From there she progressed to a part-time BSc (Hons) Construction Management programme which she completed with a first.

As a student Fred won a Centre for Education in the Built Environment Student Award and she was also awarded the CIOB Certificate of Excellence and the Athena Prize for Women in Engineering. In addition, she has been a member of the University's Women in Construction, Engineering and Technology (Women in CET) Group. The group, based in the School of the Built Environment and Engineering, runs a range of activities throughout the academic year to support and mentor female students in the Construction, Engineering and Technology sectors.

Fred commented: 'It was a real honour to receive recognition for my work at the ARCOM Conference. With my support team consisting of the CIOB, the University of Bolton and Laing O'Rourke plus the additional help of the Tony Gage Scholarship, I hope my research can make a real difference in the industry.'

Roger Seeds, Undergraduate Programme Leader in the School of the Built Environment and Engineering, added: 'As a former construction site manager myself, and having been Fred's undergraduate dissertation supervisor, I am in no doubt that she is an outstanding credit to herself, the school and the University.'