Doctoral College Conference

New Horizons: Doctoral College Conference 2020

The conference took place via online platforms on 22 and 23 June 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic preventing us holding the conference in person.

The theme of the 2020 conference focused on pushing boundaries and broadening thinking to facilitate exciting and innovative research. The theme took inspiration from a famous quote once read by Isaac Newton, to look for New Horizons. We used the work of our predecessors to build on knowledge, we supported our colleagues and collaborators to facilitate new insights creating and expanding new horizons in the form of novel research.  

The programme featured keynote speeches, oral presentations, networking, career and wellbeing workshop events, poster presentations/performances, as well as a 1 minute poster pitch competition with voucher prizes.  Additionally we were able to be announce the winner of this year’s 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition!

Committee

Co-Chair: Michael Clarke-Whittet, PG/R

Co-Chair: Clayton Bevas, PG/R

Secretary: Sophia Lilleengen, PG/R

Marketing and Communications Officer: Gabrielle A Wishart, PG/R

Programme Officer: Roonak Rezvani, PG/R

Jazmin K Bhangoo, PG/R

Mafalda S Batista Da Costa, PG/R

Shashini M Silva, PG/R

Rennee A Jay, PG/R

Download the abstracts for all oral and poster presentations

The theme for the 2019 conference was Bridging the Gap, and focused on research that:

• Fills the knowledge gap by pushing boundaries, shifting paradigm and  challenging perceptions
• Connects theory and practice in creative and innovative  ways
• Bridges the divide between disciplines in thought-provoking explorations
• Fosters partnership through networking and collaboration
• Reaches out to inform, shape and influence the world beyond academia.

There was a lively interactive networking session hosted by the Institute of Directors, a wine reception for more relaxed conversations, and a networking dinner, enlivened by another entertaining performance from The Bright Club.

New to the programme this year were workshops aimed at bridging the gap between first and final years of the PhD programme and another looking at bridging the gap between completing the PhD and world that lies beyond it. 

This 2019 Doctoral College Conference Committee was:

• Claudia Davidson (Chair)
• Lisa Pomford (Vice-Chair)
• Maryamolsadat Mirhadizadeh (Programme Officer)
• Dr Hannah Newman
• Chelsea Dainton
• David Gyorfi (Treasurer)
• Timothy Chukwu
• Tosan Edematie

The 2018 conference was held on 3 and 4 July 2018, with the theme Breaking New Ground.

The event showcased the many ways in which PGRs and ECRs across the University are breaking new ground with their research. This could be by challenging a previous research paradigm, trialling a new methodology, or exploring a new subject area. The conference also considered the potential for ground-breaking interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches.

The programme featured oral presentations and posters by PGRs and ECRs from the University’s three faculties, plus participants from international partner universities. There were also keynote speeches, workshops, social and networking events, and an Elevator Pitch competition.

Download the 2018 conference programme or view abstracts from 2018 presentations and posters.