The Big Think | 2026 Winners
St Edmund Hall’s Big Think Competition invites students from across the UK to tackle one of our academics’ ‘big’, tutorial-style questions. This year, we received more entries than ever before, and the standard was exceptionally high – with so many creative and insightful responses! Our panel of tutors had a tough time choosing our prizewinners, but we are delighted to announce the winning entries…
First Place: Annabel Steer (Computer Science)
Alana answered the question ‘Will quantum computers make all our data public?’ St Edmund Hall tutor Dr Joe Pitt-Francis praised Annabel’s entry for its “excellent use of top-down camera angles and Lego characters to make an engaging presentation.”
Second Place: Iniyal Suthgar (Economics)
Iniyal answered the question ‘Can economics turn climate risks into opportunities for peace?‘ Dr Dahab Aglan commented that Iniyal’s video was ‘very interactive to watch’. Their argument was praised for combining a variety of technical topics whilst also relating to the topic of economics very well.
Third Place: Ro Gratrick (Psychology)
Ro answered the question ‘Are humans rational?‘ Dr Iana Alexeeva commented that Ro’s entry was ‘a nuanced and analytical answer and an elegant discussion that integrates social sciences and humanities.’
Subject Winners
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Economics and Management
- Engineering
- English
- Geography
- History
- Law
- Maths
- Materials Science
- Medical Sciences
- Modern Languages
- Physics
- Politics
- Psychology
Biochemistry
Louise Pinguet answers the question ‘Measles was eradicated from the UK but has made a comeback to low vaccination rates. How can we promote safe and effective vaccines, especially given the persuasive misinformation on social media?’
Chemistry
Angela Ceniza answers the question ‘How can chemistry make hydrogen a genuinely green fuel?’
Computer Science
Charlie Hillman answers the question ‘Will quantum computers make all our data public?’
Earth Sciences
Madeleine Chesher answers the question ‘How might environments on the early Earth have contributed to the origin of life?’
Economics and Management
Bharath Sreekanth answers the questions ‘Can Economics Turn Climate Risks into Opportunities for Peace?’
Engineering
Elinor Davies answers the question ‘Would it be possible to build a modern city without cars?’
English
Lila Gray answers the question ‘Can we learn more from engaging with the arts and literature of the past than with that of the present?’
Geography
Ziva Kinsman answers the question ‘Can humans live with other species? (Beyond the ones we directly benefit from)’
History
Lydia Psarologou answers the question ‘Is revolution ever worth the cost?’
Law
Rhys Wheatley answers the question ‘To what extent should countries opt in to international legal frameworks?’
Maths
Yuanxi Brooke Dan answers the question ‘What is the biggest contribution mathematics has made to the modern world?’
Materials Science
Olivia Baker answers the question ‘Is it better for materials to be more recyclable or more durable?’
Medical Sciences
Gwen Lewis-Hedley answers the question ‘What does the brain need in order to learn something new?’
Modern Languages
Erin Grimsey answers the question ‘Can learning a new language change your worldview?’
Physics
Diva Maheshwari answers the question ‘Who should own or control space resources like asteroids or the Moon?’
Politics
Naomi Adio answers the question ‘Why don’t elections always produce democratic outcomes?’
Psychology
Ikram Misraoui answers the question ‘Are humans rational?’
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.