Kayleigh Brennan has become the third Leeds Metropolitan University student to receive the prestigious and international Euprera Jos Willems Award for her dissertation in BA (Hons) Public Relations. Kayleigh, who graduated in July with first class honours, was encouraged by her tutor Ryan Bowd to submit her impressive dissertation for this award, which is a European wide competition to find the best dissertation of students in Public Relations and Communications.

In order to enter the competition, Kayleigh was asked to submit a one page abstract of her work to the European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA) to be judged. As her work promised such a high standard, Kayleigh was then asked submit an additional ten-page summary.

As a result of winning this award, she will be flown to Milan to present her paper at the EUPRERA Congress which is being held at the IULM University on the 16-18 October.

“When I received the email telling me that I'd won and that I am going to Milan I was shocked and obviously very pleased! I was very proud of the work I'd put into my dissertation, but receiving an award like this was something I'd never expected. I have Ryan and Lee Edwards to thank for showing confidence in my work and urging me to enter.”

Dissertation tutor, Ryan Bowd commented “It was not at all surprising that Kayleigh's dissertation has been recognised with this award. She approached the task with drive, dedication and commitment. She doggedly worked to achieve a superior piece and was consistently in my office seeking advice with respect to her own ideas to improve and refine her dissertation. It was truly a collegiate working relationship, a student who didn't need hand holding but only small coaching tips along the way in order for her to achieve the goal she set from the outset for herself, a first class dissertation."

Kayleigh’s efforts have not gone unnoticed this year, she was also the winner of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) award at the Leeds Met Graduation Festival in July, where she was recognised for the best all-round performance on her Public Relations course ahead of more then 100 of her peers.

Since graduating, Kayleigh has joined the European headquarters of Air Products PLC, working in the Employee Communications Team, where she did her twelve month placement during her time at university.