Congratulations to MSc Development Studies student, Aurelia Streit, who was awarded Best Abstract and LSE Life Prize at the LSE Beveridge Research Festival.

Aurelia’s abstract entitled, “It Was Not Syria But the War That Gave Us Women Rights!” How Forced Displacement Can Be a Catalyst for Women’s Empowerment of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon, was selected from 90 entries. The judges felt the piece, which looked at the paradoxical relationship of forced displacement and empowerment of Syrian refugee women, offers hope for female refugees and shows how something positive can emerge out of a difficult environment.

Aurelia was delighted to win both prizes. “It’s very exciting. I didn’t expect to win anything and I get two prizes. I’m very honoured and excited that LSE gives students the opportunity to partake in the festival and showcase what we’ve done.”

This annual celebration of innovative and ground-breaking research by LSE students and staff has become a key feature in the university’s calendar.

You can read the prize-winning research abstract here and watch her interview below:

The views expressed in this post are those of the author and in no way reflect those of the International Development LSE blog or the London School of Economics and Political Science.