Congratulations to Zoe Abrams and Louis MacPherson, who have been awarded prizes for their performance in the MSc in Sociology.
Louis won the 2024 A.H. Halsey Prize for ‘Best Thesis', while Zoe won the Prize for 'Best Overall Performance'.
Zoe's research interests lie at the intersection of political sociology and the sociology of gender. Her MSc thesis examined shifts in attitudes towards sexual violence in Scotland from 2014 to 2019, focusing on changing perceptions of rape during a period marked by heightened feminist mobilisation around the #MeToo movement and key policy interventions.
The study found a significant reduction in victim blaming and an increased recognition of perpetrators’ responsibility. However, new attitudinal divides emerged, particularly along lines of gender and political orientation.
After receiving the award, Zoe said:
I am incredibly honoured to receive this prize for my work, especially after such an engaging and fulfilling year in the Sociology programme.
I am especially grateful to my supervisor, Professor Michael Biggs, and the Department of Sociology for their support and for providing such a rigorous and intellectually stimulating academic environment.
Zoe is excited to continue at Oxford for her DPhil studies, supervised by Dr Lindsay Richards and Professor Man-Yee Kan. Her research will build on her MSc work exploring processes of social change and gendered political polarisation.
Zoe added:
My advice to future students would be to embrace the inevitable challenges of conducting research, and try to see them as an interesting puzzle to solve rather than as a setback.
Keep your mind open to new theoretical or methodological approaches, and take advantage of the many seminars and workshops that Oxford offers to engage with topics beyond your own research interests.
In his thesis, Louis examined the extent to which the ‘Empty Nest Syndrome’ - a phenomenon whereby parents suffer adverse mental and physical health problems resulting from their final child leaving the family home - is experienced by individuals in the UK.
Using data from The UK Household Longitudinal Study, his dissertation employed a range of quantitative methods to confront previously unexplored research questions, including whether the phenomenon is dependent on sex and/or socioeconomic status.
Louis said:
I feel very honoured to receive this award, particularly knowing the other interesting and varied research conducted by my fellow coursemates. Despite its intensity, the MSc was an extremely beneficial year for me, and I look forward to continuing my academic career in the social sciences with gained confidence.
I am thankful to many of the staff members in the Sociology Department, but in particular my supervisor, Dr Dirk Witteveen, who has been a huge support for me throughout the year. We are still in touch, and are currently attempting to publish my thesis as co-authors.
Halsey Prizes have been awarded since the Department of Sociology was formed in 1999. Professor Albert Henry Halsey was a central figure in the sociology of education. He joined the University of Oxford as a Fellow at Nuffield College in 1962, and remained a part of the Oxford community for over 50 years.
Focusing on the topics of inequality, social mobility and education, Professor Halsey's impact on the study of sociology and social policy was felt across the University and the academic world.
