Jess Lonsdale and Isla Britton were awarded the Sir William Darling Memorial Prize 2025 as part of the University of Edinburgh’s Welcome Ceremony. Jess Lonsdale studied BSc (Hons) Neuroscience and was given this award to recognise her work acting as an ambassador for the University in advocating neurodiversity. She is actively involved in voluntary work, as secretary for Best Buddies Scotland, a volunteering society that operates out of the University of Edinburgh. Jess also designed and executed an outreach project called ‘Building bridges with the autism community’ through having been awarded a competitive ‘Our Minds’ summer scholarship. Work generated through this project was exhibited in Inspace as part of the ‘Developing Brain’ exhibition sponsored by the Patrick Wild Centre and is currently on display in the Drum café at QMRI.The Sir William Darling Memorial Prize is awarded by the University of Edinburgh to recognise students who have significantly enhanced the university's reputation through their conduct, scholarship, or contributions to the community. Being autistic, social clubs for neurodivergent people were a huge part of my social life growing up. Without them, I would never have developed the social skills and confidence I have today. When I came to Edinburgh and found out about Best Buddies, joining it felt like a way to give back to the sorts of clubs that helped me so much as a teen.Best Buddies has been a wonderful part of my life for the past three and a half years and has given me so many positive memories and helped open the door to so many other opportunities, like the Our Minds scholarship, where I was able to platform the art of autistic people and their loved ones about what autism means to them.Receiving this award is a huge honour, and I hope that I can encourage others to get involved with volunteering. Jess Lonsdale Neuroscience student Isla Britton studied BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences and was a University Sports Scholar, competing for both the University of Edinburgh and Canada in Triathlon. In 2024, Isla finished in the top 20 at the World University Championships and 10th in the relay at World Unis. Alongside her own training, Isla is a Triathlon Club Coach, encouraging and inspiring other members of the Club to excel in the sport she loves. Her dedication and enthusiasm were recognised by Triathlon Scotland when, in 2023, Isla was awarded Young Coach of the Year. Isla was given this award for her commitment to outstanding performance in both her sporting and academic life serves as a wonderful example of how students at the University of Edinburgh can excel, both within the University community and as a representative and an ambassador for the University in the wider global community. I’m truly honoured to receive the Sir William Darling Memorial Prize. Being recognised for enhancing the University’s reputation is something I’m incredibly proud of. This award is not only a reflection of personal achievement, but also of the unwavering support I’ve received throughout time at Edinburgh. I’m deeply grateful to my parents, my coach, the academic staff at the BMTO, and the Sports Scholar programme, each has played a huge role in helping me navigate the demands of high-performance sport alongside my academic ambitions. The past four years have been an incredible experience, and I’m thrilled to be continuing my postgraduate studies at the University while pursuing my goals in triathlonWinning this award is a moment of real pride, and I hope it encourages others to pursue both their academic and sporting goals with ambition and confidence. Isla Britton Medical Sciences student Jess Lonsdale (left) standing with Professor Colm Harmon, Vice-Principal Students Isla Britton (left) standing with Professor Colm Harmon, Vice-Principal Students Publication date 09 Oct, 2025