This year’s IWSN-UWE Prize for Best Undergraduate Dissertation on a Water Security-Related Topic has been awarded to Elliott Lang, for his work on surfing and sustainable development.
Judging the prize, Patric Bulmer (Head of Water Resources at Bristol Water) said: “Elliot’s dissertation (‘How Surf Tourists Can Contribute to Improving Sustainable Development in Lobitos, Peru’) raises thought-provoking questions about surfing as an activity which provides tangible economic benefits to the community of Lobitos through sustainable exploitation of a very specific piece of natural capital: waves. The research programme was well designed in order to get the greatest engagement from a wide range of stakeholders, and highlighted that surfers are drawn from across the world to this site due to its special environmental characteristics. An insightful dissertation that was enjoyable to read.”
Elliott said: “I chose to research this topic because I am obsessed with surfing and have predominantly based my life around it. Researching waves as a renewable resource of natural capital just seemed amazing to me. In regards to winning the prize; I didn’t even know I was entered! To win was an amazing surprise. I would like to thank EcoSwell for giving me the opportunity to research this topic and for all their support.”