Law students Aoife Stewart and David Cotter have been chosen as this year’s recipients of a memorial bursary established in memory of the late Arthur Cox partner Niamh Burke.

The firm said that both impressed the judges with their commitment to working to tackle climate change, and their passion for their chosen fields of environmental law and environmental economics, respectively.

The Niamh Burke Memorial Bursary aims to foster and support study and research in the field of renewable energy.

It awards a sum of €10,000 a year, which may be split between two recipients, to support students pursuing education in this area.

Unlocking potential

Alex McLean (partner at Arthur Cox) said: “Every year we have been hugely impressed by the ambition of the next generation of people looking to continue their studies in the renewable energy sector, which will be key to Ireland fully unlocking the potential of our renewable energy resources.”

Aoife Stewart said that the award would towards her study of environmental and natural-resources law at UCC.

David Cotter’s bursary will help him to continue his studies at in Global Environmental Economics NUI Galway.

The bursary is administered by Wind Energy Ireland. Over a 20-year career, Niamh Burke advised on some of Ireland's largest energy, infrastructure and construction projects.