University of Glasgow housing student wins CIH Malcolm Smith Award

University of Glasgow housing student Kevin Howe has received a prestigious award for his work outlining the implications of rent controls in the private rented sector.

Kevin, who is studying for an MSc in housing studies, was awarded the Malcolm Smith Memorial Award by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland. The accolade, judged anonymously, is given for the best piece of work, with a focus on housing law and policy, during the last academic year by a student in Scotland.

Commenting on the award, Kevin said:

“Being presented with the Malcolm Smith award is a really proud moment for me and I would like to thank Craig Gurney for putting forward my work. I also want to thank the other lecturers on the housing studies course as well as my fellow students for all their support throughout my first year.

"The purpose of my report was to consider the implications, both positive and negative, of rent controls within the private rented sector. This was a really interesting topic for me to examine as the issue of rent control has recently come to the fore, However, as I learned through my report, the topic is hotly contested and more complex than many people realise.

"I am currently working within Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership’s homelessness service and I am looking forward to developing my career within the partnership as we aim to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness. I would also like to thank service managers, Alan Robertson and Gary Quinn, as well as head of service, Jim McBride, for supporting me throughout my studies.”

Dr Craig Gurney, programme director for the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc Housing Studies Programme and lecturer in housing studies at the School of Social & Political Sciences (Urban Studies) University of Glasgow, added:

“We're delighted to learn that our student Kevin Howe has won this prestigious award.

The quality of written work produced by our students is always of a high standard but this assessment task - which evaluated different models of rent control and regulation - really brought the best out of the cohort.

Kevin's work stood out. It was well written, demonstrated considerable critical engagement with a wide range of sources and made timely and pertinent policy recommendations."

Kevin will receive a £100 award, alongside the coveted trophy.