The Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), in partnership with Trinity College, Cambridge, is delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 R.A. Butler Prize.
The R.A. Butler Prize for essays in politics and international studies is an annual competition open to students in Year 12 or Lower 6th (or equivalent). It was established in memory of Lord Butler, former Master of Trinity College, who famously served as Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer, and was responsible for introducing free secondary education in the UK.
The prize aims to encourage students with an interest in modern politics and world affairs to consider university-level study in politics, international relations, or related disciplines. Crucially, it also serves to recognise the outstanding achievements of both high-calibre students and the teachers who support them.
This year saw an exceptional level of interest and scholarship, with a total of 1,040 entries submitted from across the globe.
The 2026 R.A. Butler Prize Winners
First Prize (UK):
Jasmine Kaur De Lisio, Reed's School, Cobham, Surrey
First Prize (International):
Erin Jia, Memorial High School, Houston, USA
Second Prize:
Lyla Fairclough-Hudson, Pontefract New College, Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Special Commendations:
- Inca Bernasconi-Brown (Spalding High School, Lincolnshire)
- Luca Bernard (École Jeannine Manuel, Lille, France)
- Oscar Lewis-Jones (St Benedict’s School, London)
- Jay Lo (Dulwich College, London)
- Manh Huy Luong (Hung Yen High School for the Gifted, Hung Yen, Vietnam)
- Irma Mecele (home-schooled, Gibraltar)
- Henry Messinger (Bancroft's School, London)
- Alexander Owens (Magdalen College School, Oxford)
- Kinzah Qazi (Finham Park School, Coventry)
In addition, Commendations were awarded to 40 entrants who demonstrated exceptional critical analysis and thoughtful argument.
Congratulations and Thanks
We offer our warmest congratulations to all of our prize winners, specially commended students, and commended entrants for their exceptional work. We would also like to express our gratitude to every student who submitted an essay this year, as well as the teachers, schools, and families who supported their participation.
Details and essay topics for the next round of the competition will be released in March 2027.