Students from City St George's are invited to submit entries for the Rosemary Hollis essay prize – 2026 edition.

This award is in memory of Rosemary Hollis (1952-2020), Professor of Middle East Policy Studies and Director of the Olive Tree Programme at City.

A distinguished political scientist, inspiring teacher, and former Head of the Middle East Programme at Chatham House, she was a world-renowned commentator and author of Middle Eastern affairs, both in regard to internal regional dynamics and concerning EU, British and US involvement.

Her last book, Surviving the Story: The Narrative Trap in Israel and Palestine (2019), is not just another analysis of the peace process but is a reflection on the journey of mutual understanding and future vision to which herself and the young people of the Olive Tree committed their hearts and intellects.

Who can enter

The competition is open to students in the School of Communication & Creativity and the School of Policy & Global Affairs—so whether or not the study of the Middle East is part of your course, please consider entering if it is a region in which you are interested. You can write a fresh piece, or you are also allowed to submit relevant essays that you might have produced in the course of the year for particular modules at City St George's.

Criteria for submission

The topic should be broadly related to Rosemary’s areas of expertise, i.e. people, politics and policies in the Middle East, as well as foreign policies and interests in the region. We also welcome reflections on the life experiences and political mobilization of people, individuals or communities connected with the Middle East because of their origins, identity or political interests regardless of where they are based in the world.

Essays can also address the value of intercultural encounters and the challenges of overcoming societal and international conflicts more broadly.

The judges will be looking for originality of argument supported by sound evidence. As the Times said its obituary of the scholar in whose memory this competition has been started, ‘Hollis was direct, driven and no-nonsense.’

Prizes

There will be separate prizes for undergraduate and postgraduate students, with £100 given for the best essay, and £50 second prize, in each category. Prizes will be given in retail vouchers.

The prize money has been donated by Dennis Shane Miller, a City St George's graduate who was taught by Rosemary and wished to honour her memory in this way. The competition organizers are extremely grateful for his generosity

How to apply

Essays should be 1,000-2,000 words in length, not including bibliography, written in 12 point Times New Roman, and submitted as a Microsoft Word document or pdf.

Email to RHessay@city.ac.uk.

The closing date for entries is 16 June 2026, 9am BST.