Award Recipient

2025

Cecelia Connelly Memorial Graduate Scholarship in Underwater Archaeology, Sponsored by the Connelly family (WDHOF Member Mary Connelly)

Grace Grodji

A doctoral student in the fourth year of her thesis at Abidjan’s Université Félix Houphouet Boigny, Grace is about to inscribe the first research in underwater archaeology in Côte d’Ivoire. The aim of her thesis is to make an initial inventory of Côte d’Ivoire’s underwater cultural heritage. After completing her Master’s degree at the aforementioned university, Grace joined the SWP and obtained her certification in advanced diving and will begin her divemaster training. She has completed several training courses in underwater archaeology through UNESCO and SWP in Senegal and Mozambique. Passionate about the ocean world, she is committed to protecting and promoting its heritage. She also takes part in beach cleanup programs and training symposia to enhance her knowledge and become a true pioneer of this discipline in Côte d’Ivoire.

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