University of Bolton engineering graduate Annabel wins top award

A University of Bolton civil engineering graduate is celebrating after winning a prestigious award.

Annabel Watson, aged 27, won the Institution of Structural Engineers Michael Horne Prize 2023 for her final-year dissertation.

Annabel, from Cumbria, studied Civil Engineering at the University of Bolton and graduated with first-class honours in July 2023.

Annabel, who now has a career as a Civil, Structural & Architectural (CS&A) Engineer at Jacobs Engineering Ltd, said: “I was more shocked than anything when I won the award but also really happy. All the hard work and effort was worth it.”

The Lancashire and Cheshire Regional Group award the Michael Horne prize each academic year to the student in the final-year of a civil engineering degree course (Bachelor’s or Master’s) who completes an outstanding research & development or design project with a structural engineering bias.

Annabel’s dissertation compared two different codes in civil engineering, “especially now that we have left the EU. I wanted to explore which code is more efficient and the possibilities of codes changing after leaving the EU”.

This prize is named after Professor Michael Horne, OBE FREng FRS, in recognition of the outstanding contributions made by him to Structural Engineering and Higher Education.

Dr Abbes Berrais, Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering and Course Leader for the MSc Civil Engineering at the University of Bolton, nominated the dissertation for the award.

Annabel said: “I really enjoyed my time at Bolton, I met some amazing people there.”

She now aims to reach Incorporated Engineer status (IEng) and hopes to eventually become chartered.

She was presented with the award at ceremony at Old Trafford Cricket ground, Manchester.