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Bill Blake Memorial Award

Named in honour of Bill Blake, founder and co-chair of the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management (ICPEM), this annual award recognises his lasting impact on the field and those entering it.

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Established to celebrate his legacy, the award aims to:

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  • Support students in developing academic and research skills in civil protection and emergency management.

  • Encourage engagement with the Institute among those pursuing related studies.

  • Recognise outstanding student work and inspire future careers in the sector.

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The award is open to full-time students at UK institutions. Entries are judged independently by a panel of academic experts, led by Dr Burcak Basbug Erkan, with prizes awarded to the top three essays submitted in response to a title set by the Institute.

The Institute of Civil Protection & Emergency Management 
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Invites

Universities across the UK offering courses in civil protection, emergency/disaster management, or related disciplines are invited to take part in the 2025 Bill Blake Memorial Award.

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ICPEM invites each institution to submit their two best student essays (up to 3,000 words each) from the 2024–2025 academic year.

 

Essays should demonstrate strong academic insight, originality, and a clear link to the field of civil protection and emergency management.

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This is a valuable opportunity for universities to showcase academic excellence and support the next generation of professionals in gaining national recognition.

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Submission Deadline: 4 August 2025 at 23:59 GMT

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Submissions and enquiries should be directed to: Prof. Dr. Burcak Basbug Erkan - burcak.erkan@theicpem.org

Award Categories

Each year, the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management (ICPEM) proudly recognises exceptional student work through the Bill Blake Memorial Award, honouring academic excellence in the fields of civil protection, emergency management, and resilience.

Three outstanding entries are selected and awarded as follows:

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  • 🥇 First Prize – £400

  • 🥈 Second Prize – £200

  • 🥉 Third Prize – £100

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In addition to the monetary prizes, each of the three winners will receive:

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  • A Certificate of Achievement, signed by the Institute

  • A commemorative Gold, Silver, or Bronze medallion, inscribed with the award title and year

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These awards are intended not only to celebrate academic achievement, but also to encourage ongoing professional engagement with the field of emergency management.

Recognition and Promotion

While the awards will not be formally presented at the ICPEM Annual Conference, the winning submissions will receive significant recognition across multiple platforms:

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  • The first-place essay will be published in ICPEM’s official journal, Alert, offering national visibility and professional credibility.

  • All three winners will be featured across ICPEM’s social media channels, website, and communications, showcasing their achievements to the wider emergency management community.

  • Winners will also have opportunities to engage with the Institute's network, enhancing their academic and professional development.

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This visibility not only acknowledges the high calibre of the work submitted, but also connects emerging talent with professionals and organisations shaping the future of civil protection and emergency response.

Submission Guidelines and Rules

Image by Susan Wilkinson

To ensure fairness, consistency, and academic integrity, all submissions must follow the rules outlined below:

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Essay Requirements
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  • Essays must be between 2,000 and 3,000 words, written in English.

  • All references must be cited using the Harvard referencing style.

  • Text should be formatted in Times New Roman, font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing.

  • The essay must be the original work of a single author.

  • Only one entry per person and a maximum of two entries per university will be accepted.

  • The work must not have been submitted previously for any other award, presented at national or international meetings, or published in any format (full or partial).

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Academic Integrity
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To avoid plagiarism:

  • All source material must be correctly cited and referenced.

  • Ideas and quotations from others are permitted, but must be clearly attributed to the original source.

  • Direct quotations must appear in quotation marks with appropriate referencing.

  • Improper use of sources, even with a reference, may result in disqualification.

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Submission Process
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  • Entries must be submitted in PDF format via email to the Academic Director.

  • Each submission must include a cover page with:

    • Author’s full name

    • Contact email and phone number

    • University name and course of study

  • To ensure impartiality, all identifying details will be removed before entries are reviewed by the judging panel.

  • Submit your entry to: Prof. Dr. Burcak Basbug Erkan, Email: burcak.erkan@theicpem

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Important Dates
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  • Submission Deadline: 4 August 2025, 23:59 GMT

  • Late entries will not be considered under any circumstances.

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Assessment and Notification
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  • Entries will be reviewed independently by an academic panel, chaired by Prof. Dr. Burcak Basbug Erkan.

  • Winners will be notified via email. Entrants are responsible for providing accurate contact details.

  • The panel’s decision on eligibility and award outcomes is final and not open to appeal.

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Recognition and Promotion
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  • The first-place essay will be published in Alert, the ICPEM’s professional journal.

  • Winners and runners-up will receive certificates of achievement and an inscribed Gold, Silver, or Bronze medallion.

  • Although awards will not be presented at the ICPEM Annual Conference, winners will be featured prominently across ICPEM’s social media, website, and publications.

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Questions?

For further information about the award or submission process, please contact:  Prof. Dr. Burcak Basbug Erkan at burcak.erkan@theicpem.org

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