Diane Curran wins the Aberconway Award for the best horticultural dissertation

Diane Curran winner of Aberconway Award for the best horticultural dissertation

Curran’s research explores the relationship between urban green infrastructure and its passive benefits for human health and wellbeing

Careers

26 February 2026

The Chartered Institute of Horticulture has awarded the Aberconway Award for the best horticultural dissertation to Diane Curran from TU Dublin for her outstanding thesis: “The Path to Wellness: How Green Infrastructure Enhances Mental Health”.

Curran’s research explores the relationship between urban green infrastructure and its passive benefits for human health and wellbeing, investigating how improvements to green infrastructure can help alleviate local mental health challenges by providing an understanding of public perspectives on the therapeutic value of natural spaces.

“This is a very accomplished piece of work. The primary data gathering, survey design and interpretation were particularly well executed and revealed fascinating insights into demographic differences around green space use, perceived value and effects on mental health,” Jason Daff, CHort FCIHort honorary secretary, said.

He added: “the ethnographic fieldwork offered considerable personal depth to the work, moving beyond horticulture into social commentary.”

Central to the study was a well-designed survey examining participants’ experiences of and attitudes toward green spaces and their potential to support mental wellbeing, enriched through in-depth interviews and ethnographic fieldwork in Limerick.

“I am deeply honoured and delighted to receive the Aberconway Award, and would like to sincerely thank my lecturers and the judging panel for their support and encouragement,” Curran said.

She completed a Level 8 BSc at Technological University Dublin, graduating with first class honours, where she focused on social and therapeutic horticulture and the relationship between green spaces and mental health.

Curran holds a Level 7 BSc in horticulture from South East Technological University, Waterford , awarded with distinction and is currently completing an MA in Art, Psyche, and the Creative Imagination at Limerick School of Art and Design, while working as a craft gardener with Limerick City and County Council.

The award commemorates Lord Aberconway, who contributed both personally and financially to the establishment of the Institute of Horticulture.

The cash prize of £500 is awarded to the winner, entries for the 2026 prize are open now, details can be found on the CIH website.