Daiwa Scholars 2003

Simon Cosgrove

Simon completed a BA in Music at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge and is a talented saxophonist who twice reached the finals of BBC Young Musician of the Year. Through his college’s links with Japan, Simon has developed a strong interest in Japanese music. Simon intends to use his Daiwa Scholarship to specialise in music performance and Japanese ethnomusicology.

Simon’s homestay was in Ogi City and Ryotsu City in Niigata Prefecture. His work placement was at the Noh Theatre Research Institute, Hosei University.  Simon is currently Associate Professor of Music History at  Joshibi College of Art and Design.

Dr Victoria Holliday

Victoria completed an undergraduate degree in Geography at Liverpool University and obtained her PhD in Fluvial Geomorphology at the University of Durham’s Earth Surface Systems Research Group. Since a research visit to Japan in 2001, Victoria has been keen to strengthen UK-Japan collaboration in her field. Victoria plans to use her Daiwa Scholarship to study Japanese river networks and reservoirs, and then transfer her skills to the commercial sector.

Victoria’s homestay was in Fukuoka City in Fukuoka Prefecture. Her work placement was at Nikaryu Seseragikan: an NPO for the Tamagawa River in Tokyo. She is currently a T-Three Consultant.

Dr Brian O'Rourke

Brian completed his PhD in Atomic Physics (Highly-charged Ions) at Queen’s University Belfast. Brian has travelled regularly to Japan as part of his PhD research and he hopes that, through the Daiwa Scholarship, he can further collaboration between British and Japanese researchers in experimental atomic physics.

Brian’s homestay was in Shinjo City in Yamagata Prefecture. His work placement was at RIKEN Institute for Physical and Chemical Research. He is currently working at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

You can read more about Brian in the “Scholars Experiences” section of the website.

Dr Carl Randall

Carl Randall completed an MA in Drawing at The Prince’s Foundation. Carl has won several prestigious prizes in national art competitions – including the Singer & Friedlander/Sunday Times Watercolour Competition – and plans to be a self-employed artist. Through the Daiwa Scholarship, he wishes to develop his interest in urban landscapes and study Japanese artistic techniques.

Carl’s homestay was in Hiroshima City in Hiroshima Prefecture. His work placement was at the Tokyo University of the Arts. He is currently a freelance artist.

You can read more about Carl in the “Scholars Experiences” section of the website.

Alex Veal

Alex Veal was an MPhil student in Architecture at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University. He studied Japanese architecture and visited Japan as part of his dissertation research. Alex was  keen to use the Daiwa Scholarship to gain valuable architectural experience.

Alex’s homestay was in Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture. His work placement was at Kengo Kuma & Associates and at the Tokyo Carpentry College. He is currently Director at ARTArchitects Ltd.