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This year's Doctoral and Researcher College annual Doctoral Research Conference took place on 12 June 2024. This event was open to all doctoral researchers from across the University to showcase the excellence and diversity of research being undertaken. It was a highly entertaining and fun afternoon and provided an excellent opportunity for doctoral researchers to network with colleagues from across the University.

Along with a chance to hear the Research for a Better World competition talks, the conference included presentations from the ever-popular Three Minute Thesis competition (3MT©) and the highly entertaining Your Research as a Bedtime Story competition. We also enjoyed an exhibition of entries to the Research Poster, Research Image, Research Life in Pictures and Research Object competitions.

We would like to thank everyone who was involved and to congratulate the prize winners. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Conference which will take place on 18 June 2025.

A recording of the 2024 conference is available to view in the Doctoral & Researcher College Blackboard organisation.

3 Minute Thesis winner

Competition winners

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: Jeff Da Costa, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science, "Floods without borders – European disaster 2021"
  • Runner-up: Madelaine Best, Institute of Education, "An assessment of work-family policies in place to support teacher-mothers with pre-school age children"

Three-Minute Thesis Competition

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

  • Judges’ Choice: Holly Giles, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, "Stronger for longer with whey protein"
  • People’s Choice: Madelaine Best, Institute of Education, "A warning to schools: step up or we’ll step out"

Research in an Object Competition

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

  • Judges’ Choice joint winners: Victoria Robinson, School of Archaeology, Geography & Environmental Science, "3D print of gamma radiation survey data" – Chris Pesso, School of Archaeology, Geography & Environmental Science, "The ARC-Boat"
  • People’s Choice: Chris Pesso, School of Archaeology, Geography & Environmental Science, "The ARC-Boat"

Research Poster Competition

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

  • Judges’ Choice: Adel Ternovacz, School of Humanities, "A roman gem in the Sarmatian Barbaricum"
  • People’s Choice: Nurul Fitri, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, "Tannin variation in tree fodder because of species, plant fraction and month"

Your Research as a Bedtime Story Competition

This light-hearted competition required researchers to strip their research story down to basic components.

  • Judges’ Choice: Vikki Rose, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, "Why Wanda can’t wander"
  • People’s Choice: Susanne Cromme, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, "The tale of OPH’s quest: understanding pain and promising change"

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: Phoebe Graham, Institute of Education, "I can still chant 'amo'"
  • People’s Choice: Phoebe Graham, Institute of Education, "I can still chant 'amo'"

Research Image Competition

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

  • Judges’ Choice: Nikolaos Giannoulis, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, "HOPE for safer and greener food"
  • People’s Choice: Nikolaos Giannoulis, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, "HOPE for safer and greener food"

Research Life in Pictures Competition

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

  • Judges’ Choice: Jeff Da Costa, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science, "Sacked after criticism"
  • People’s Choice: Jeff Da Costa, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science, "Sacked after criticism"