DCU's Sorcha Broe-Brady wins prestigious Hamilton Prize for top Irish maths students
Sorcha, who is now in her final year, was among nine students, across Irish universities, recognised by the Royal Irish Academy for their mathematical excellence, at a recent ceremony in October.
“I am really honoured to receive the Hamilton Prize. It's a wonderful recognition of the work I've put into my studies, and it has given me even more motivation to keep learning. I am very grateful to my lecturers and classmates in DCU for all their support along the way,” she says.
Sorcha had an aptitude for maths since secondary school but credits her older brother, who was already studying Actuarial Maths at DCU, for inspiring her to follow the same path. She quickly developed a true passion for the subject at DCU, finding that the challenging material kept her engaged and motivated.
She attributes much of her academic success to starting first year while her brother was in his final year: "I think being in the library on a fourth year schedule in first year really helped me excel in my own studies and gave a great base for all the following years." Sorcha also found great support in the DCU Maths Learning Centre (MLC), which provided alternative ways to understand complex topics. She is now involved with the MLC as a tutor, enjoying the chance to help others navigate their studies.
While she enjoys her studies Sorcha says that she finds relief from numbers by participating in Olympic weightlifting. “Having this avenue has really helped me maintain productivity and given me mental breaks from maths,” she says. Competing internationally and nationally has offered her a fulfilling aspect of life outside academics which has also enhanced her overall learning experience.
As she’s halfway through her final year, she looks forward to graduating and then sitting her IFoA exams to qualify as an actuary.
This year’s prize was presented by the 2025 Hamilton Speaker, Nobel Laureate Professor Kip Thorne. Professor Thorne was awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize for his contributions to the study of gravitational waves.
The nine 2025 Hamilton Prize winners are:
- Sorcha Broe-Brady, Dublin City University
- Conor Bradshaw, University College Cork
- Darragh Connaughton, University of Limerick
- Daniel Drapeau, Maynooth University
- Cameron James Ramsey, Queen’s University Belfast
- Gabrielle Pichot, Technological University Dublin
- Mhyls Salapuddin, University College Dublin
- Ihor Skorobogatko, University of Galway
- Ronan Zaletel, Trinity College Dublin
In recognition of their mathematical excellence, the students each received a cash prize and a certificate of achievement. They also attended an exclusive masterclass with Professor Thorne, hosted by business representative lobbying organisation Ibec.