November 12, 2017 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Melanie Matthews, BSW ‘17, was named a regional winner for the US and Canada region in the Social Sciences: Sociology & Social Policy category. She presented her paper on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at the UA Global Summit in Ireland.

The Undergraduate Awards is an international awards program recognizing creativity, excellence and innovative thinking within student coursework. It is the world’s leading undergraduate awards program which recognizes top undergraduate work, shares this work with a global audience and connects students across cultures and disciplines.

The Undergraduate Awards Global Summit in Dublin brings the world’s top students together for a series of inspirational lectures, workshops and discussions. As a regional winner, Matthews will be recognized with

  • A Gold Medal and a Certificate of Recognition.
  • Publication of her winning submission on The Undergraduate Library.
  • A profile of her work published in The Undergraduate Journal.
  • Access to the UA Alumni Portal.
  • A free ticket to the UA Global Summit.
  • Fully funded travel to attend the UA Global Summit.

 “I am very honoured to have been selected as the regional winner of the Social Sciences: Sociology and Social Policy category for my paper ‘A Review of Mental Health Services Offered by Canada's English Language Universities’. My paper explores the breadth of mental health issues experienced by Canadian post-secondary students and the mental health services offered by all the English language universities in Canada. I believe this is an important topic to discuss and I am grateful that my research will have the opportunity to be recognized on a global scale,” says Matthews.

Matthews completed an independent study within the School of Social Work at King’s, under the direction of Dr. Richard Csiernik. “Melanie Matthews demonstrated what can be achieved as an undergraduate student in terms of creativity and critical thinking. She identified an area where there was belief but not yet fact. Melanie framed the question, completed the literature review, conducted the research, analyzed the data and came to independent conclusions based on the process.  This is the essence of inquiry.  This is why you come to university not just to study but to know; not just to follow but to establish your own path,” says Dr. Csiernik.

Two other King’s students were also recognized by the 2017 Undergraduate Awards as Highly Commended Entrants (their work was in the top 10% of all submissions for that category). Aleksander Franiczek, honors specialization in English and a minor in French, and Sam Boer, honors specialization in English and a minor in Music, were both named Highly Commended Entrants. Both graduated from King’s in 2017.

Students across all disciplines at King's are encouraged to submit their major projects and papers for consideration for next year’s selection.

Learn about the UA Awards and submit for 2018.