Doctoral Research Conference 2023

On 14 June 2023, our community gathered together for the Doctoral Research Conference, to celebrate the excellence and diversity in doctoral research at the University.

We enjoyed an amazing range of presentations from students, inspiring keynote presentations on research integrity from Dr Etienne Roesch and on research communication from Pete Castle and student-made films, posters, image and object exhibitions amongst others.

It was a fascinating and engaging afternoon, providing an opportunity to gain an appreciation of the great things doctoral researchers are doing across a wide range of disciplines. We would like to thank everyone who was involved and to congratulate the prize winners. A full recording of the conference is available to view in Blackboard.

We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Conference to be held on 12 June 2024

Research for a Better World Competition 

This competition rewards doctoral research projects that change lives, help shape our understanding of the world and address local and global challenges.

• Judges' Choice: Marta O'Brien, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Sciences, "Air pollution and impact on children's health in Reading"

Three-Minute Thesis Competition 

Shortlisted doctoral researchers had three minutes to give an engaging talk with one slide.

• Judges' Choice: Beverley Jennings, Institute of Education, "Should students read more books by dead white men?" 
• People's Choice: Gaia Mortier, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Sciences, "Bloody treasures: the unexplored potential of external parasites"

Research in an Object Competition 

Students were invited to submit an object that connected with their doctoral research.

• Judges' Choice: Henrietta Hammant, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Sciences, "Captain Oates' sleeping bag"
• People's Choice: Lana Marie Theodoulou, School of Literature and Languages, "A piece of pyrite"

Research Poster Competition 

Doctoral researchers were invited to submit a poster on any aspect of their doctoral research.

• Judges' Choice: Nagihan Ozsoy, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, "Shutting the doors on inflammation"
• People's Choice: Nagihan Ozsoy, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, "Shutting the doors on inflammation"

Research Film Competition 

• Judges' Choice: Jane Elizabeth Bennett, School of Built Environment, "An autistic auto-ethnographic walk" 
• People's Choice: Thuraiya Al Jabri, School of Biological Sciences, "Wild olive of Oman"

Poetry, Rhyme & Rap Competition 

Doctoral researchers were invited to submit a poem, rhyme or rap which offered an insight into their everyday life.

• Judges' Choice: Hongyan Zhang, Institute of Education, "Homesickness and me" 
• People's Choice: Hongyan Zhang, Institute of Education, "Homesickness and me"

Research Image Competition 

Doctoral researchers were invited to submit an image that offered a visual perspective on their doctoral research.

• Judges' Choice: Peter Moore, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Sciences, "Alder generations" 
• People's Choice: Saumya Sood, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, "Chlorophyll caught green-handed"

Research Life in Pictures Competition 

Doctoral researchers were invited to submit a picture/ pictures that offered an insight into their everyday life.

• Judges' Choice: Kimberley Perry, School of Biological Sciences, "The art of multi-tasking" 
• People's Choice: Jingxian Xie, Henley Business School, "The dichromatic journey as a doctoral researcher"