The Big Think | 2024 Winners

St Edmund Hall’s Big Think Competition invites students across the UK to tackle one of our academics’ ‘big’, tutorial-style questions. The high standard of entries blew us all away with so many creative and clever responses! Our panel of tutors had a tough time choosing our prizewinners, but we are delighted to announce the winning entries…

First prize: Oluwatewamise Oni (Modern Languages)

Oluwatewamise answered the question ‘Is there such a thing as an untranslatable word?’. St Edmund Hall tutor Dr Holly Langstaff praised Oluwatewamise’s ability to explore different perspectives and challenge what we mean by ‘good translation’.

Second prize: Natalie Wang (History)

Natalie answered the question ‘Historians disagree all the time, so how can we trust what they write?‘. Professor Filippo de Vivo commented that Natalie’s video was very engaging, using a thoughtful and balanced analogy of baking.

Subject Winners

Biochemistry

Evie answers the question ‘Do our genes define who we are?’.

Chemistry

Amara answers the question ‘Last year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots. Why?’.

Earth Sciences

Carys answers the question ‘When did complex life on land evolve?’.

Engineering

Bianca answers the question ‘Should we let robots do all the driving?’.

English

Mya answers the questions ‘Is Shakespeare better than Taylor Swift?’.

Geography

Ayaad answers the questions ‘Can development ever be sustainable?’.

History

Lottie answers the question ‘Historians disagree all the time, so how can we trust what they write?’.

Law

Law

Charlotte answers the question ‘What is the role of law/lawyers in addressing climate change?’

Languages

Livia answers the question ‘Is there such a thing as an untranslatable word?’.

Materials Science

Sophie answers the question ‘How and why can new materials contribute to the clean energy revolution?’.

Maths

Zoe answers the question ‘Is maths created or discovered?’.

Medical Sciences

Zihan answers the question ‘How is artificial intelligence shaping the future of medicine and biomedical sciences?’.

Physics

Likhita answers the question ‘Is Pluto a planet?’.

Politics

Tamar answers the question ‘Is online anonymity a threat to democracy?’.

Psychology

Elena answers the question ‘Why don’t people do what they know they should?’.

Special Commendations

We’re also delighted to note that the following entries received a Special Commendation for their high quality:

  • Daisy Stewart, English
  • Daniel Partington, English
  • Oliver Marques, History
  • Sophie Partis, History
  • Harry Haggerwood, Medical Sciences
  • Mia Lloyd-Thomas, Medical Sciences

A huge congratulations to all our winners, but also a massive thank you to all our entrants this year! Our tutors were thoroughly impressed and hope to see many of you at university (and maybe even at St Edmund Hall…) in the future.