Liana Psarologaki, who completed an MA in Fine Art with us here at UCA Canterbury before moving on to begin an interdisciplinary PhD in architecture and fine art here too in 2011, received the award after submitting a paper for presentation to the conference, which takes place at Imperial College London in July.

“The organisers were looking for candidates with intense academic and scholar activity whilst studying on their PhD,” said Liana, who is also leading the Interior Architecture course at UCS in Ipswich alongside her doctorate.

“I felt that my research output as well as the fact that I got a senior academic position in my field before my PhD completion impressed the selection panel.”

As a result of the award, Liana will give a presentation at the conference, which this year looks at ‘The Work of Art in the Age of Networked Society’, as well as chairing conference sessions, introducing speakers, leading talking circles and ensuring that sessions stay on schedule. During the final session, she will be presented with her Graduate Scholar Award.

“I am really comfortable with this role as I already chaired sessions and introduced presenters in the IJAS International Conference for Academic Disciplines in Ca’ Foscari University Venice last July, where I presented my latest paper on innovative design pedagogy. As an architect, it was my great honour to do so in the famous Aula Magna designed by Carlo Scarpa,” she said.

Liana, who completed work on her doctorate in January, and is now awaiting confirmation on revisions before being awarded her PhD, has recently been approached by a publisher about turning her thesis into a printed book in the form of a monograph.

“At the moment I am looking forward to my graduation as I already have a few potential students interested in having me in their supervisory team,” she said.

For further information on the International Conference on the Arts in Society, which takes place between July 22-24 at Imperial College London, please visit http://artsinsociety.com/the-conference