New members' paper competition | CIWEM Northern Ireland Branch Award

CIWEM Northern Ireland branch is holding an annual new members' paper competition for new student and graduate level members and those who could become CIWEM members with less than five years of professional experience. 

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About the competition

Each year, the CIWEM Northern Ireland branch holds a new members’ paper competition. Entrants are invited to contribute a paper on a general theme, which changes each year. Papers do not need to be project based as any aspect of the chosen theme can be presented and is open to the interpretation of the entrant.

A panel of three senior members select four papers for presentation and then notify all those who have submitted abstracts whether or not they have been shortlisted. The presentations and written papers are judged at a special evening meeting of CIWEM Northern Ireland branch. This meeting is open to members and non-members to watch the judging and support the selected finalists. Presentations are 15 minutes long with 5 minutes of question time from the three judges.

The theme for 2026 is “Northern Ireland, Our Water, Our Environment, Our Place”.

If you would like to learn more about the 2026 competition or are interested in attending the evening presentations and award ceremony on 12 March 2026 please follow the links below.



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Applications are open. Register your interest by Friday 06 February 2025

CIWEM Northern Ireland is now inviting entries to the 2026 CIWEM Northern Ireland Region New Members Papers Competition. This is open to both new student and graduate level members, and those who could become future CIWEM members and who have less than 5 years professional experience.

To enter, participants must register intent by email to Ashley Johnston at ashley.johnston@niwater.com by Friday 06 February 2026, and then submit a written paper by Friday 20 February 2026. These will be judged by a panel of three senior members, who will shortlist four papers for presentation at a special evening meeting, to be held on Thursday 12 March 2026 in Belfast at the Northern Ireland Water offices in Old Westland Road, Belfast.

Papers should be based on the CIWEM Northern Ireland branch chair's theme for this year's technical programme, “Northern Ireland, Our Water, Our Environment, Our Place”. Papers do not need to be project based as any aspect of this theme can be presented and is open to the interpretation of the entrant.

For full details about the competition rules and key dates, please view the new members’ papers competition guidelines.


CIWEM Northern Ireland branch new members' competition 2026 guidelines

Previous winners

2025 winner

2025 winner

Michael Maxwell | Network Support Analyst | Northern Ireland Water

Michael Maxwell, a Network Support Analyst for Northern Ireland Water, submitted a paper and presentation on ‘Ballyholme Bathing Water Investigation’. This fitted into the CIWEM Northern Ireland branch theme of the year ‘Agriculture and Environment: making the connection’. Michaels paper covered how the investigation has been carried out with sampling and instrumentation, in order to determine where sources of pollution were coming from.

Michael has a degree in Environmental Science and a masters in Environmental Management and GIS. Michael has worked at Northern Ireland Water since 2022 and has experience in the clean water labs, GIS and environmental modelling teams.

2024 winner

2024 winner

Emma Greer | Graduate Scientist | RPS

Emma Greer, a Graduate Scientist at RPS, submitted her paper and presentation on “Dawn of the Plasticene Epoch: Challenges and Possible Solutions to Widespread Microplastic Pollution in High-profile Marine Conservation Habitats.”

Emma has an MSc in Marine Systems and Policies from the University of Edinburgh, and had been working on various peatland restoration projects across Ireland. Emma has now transitioned to the Energy Sector and Offshore Wind Farms where she is a technical writer for topics such as other sea users and infrastructure, shipping and navigation, aviation, and commercial fisheries.
2023 winner

2023 winner

Ashley Johnston | Engineer | Northern Ireland Water

Ashley Johnston, a Graduate at Northern Ireland Water, submitted her paper and presentation on ‘Finding Solutions for Belfast Lough’s Shellfish Water Protected Area’. This paper focused on the environmental modelling of Belfast Lough the Northern Ireland Water have undertaken in order to target wastewater investment where it is needed.

Ashley has a degree in Marine Biology and has worked for Northern Ireland Water since 2022. The CIWEM Northern Ireland branch theme this year was ‘Planning for Recovery, Growth and the Environment’.

2022 winner

2022 winner

Aideen McGuigan | Project Engineer | Energia Group

Aideen McGuigan presented on the “Potential of Floating Photovoltaic (PV) Technology for Electricity Generation in Northern Ireland.” She has since relocated to Australia, taking on the role of Development Manager at Atmos Renewables. In this role, Aideen has played a key part in progressing large-scale renewable energy projects nationwide.

Aideen has a Bachelor of Science degree from Queen's University Belfast, a Master of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) from Queens' University Belfast, and she is certified in Contract Management for Engineers.

2021 winner

2021 winner

Sarah McCord | Civil Engineer | AECOM

Sarah McCord, a Civil Engineer, submitted a paper and presentation on the Reservoirs Act 1975 and the implications of this across the UK, but particularly in Northern Ireland. Sarah has experience in the design of remedial works at reservoirs and has contributed to a range of reservoir and water-related infrastructure projects for major utility providers.

Her current experience focuses on both Impounding and Service Reservoirs, particularly their remediation and the practical application of the Reservoirs Act 1975. As a Trainee Supervising Engineer, Sarah is developing her expertise in reservoir safety management while supporting the supervision of these vital assets.

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