Research Innovation Enterprise

This Year’s Research Conference – How it Happened

Attendees entering the Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre for the 2019 Research Conference

On Tuesday 18th June 2019, RIO ran the annual University Research Conference at Craiglockhart. Researchers from across the university were invited to present their research and attend the conference, and individuals from a variety of schools and levels were present.

Here’s a look in short at how the conference unfolded.

09:30am – Registration and badge making

After registration, the first challenge of the day met attendees straight away; making a distinctive name badge for the day ahead. The help of RIO’s student rep’s was invaluable!

Attendees used the time to grab a hot drink and sign up to an afternoon workshop before the day kicked off.

10:00am – Welcome talks

Attendees were welcomed with talks from Professor Nick Antonopoulos (Vice Principal, Research and Innovation), and Professor Jessie Kennedy (Dean, Research and Innovation), outlining the strategic plan for the university’s research, and the itinerary for the day.
(Nick’s talk will be available on the conference blog ).

10:20am – Student Three Minute Thesis

The five student competitors and compere Dawn Smith (University Public Engagement Officer) before the talks.

Eighty thousand word thesis. Three minutes. Five research students from across the university presented their research to the audience in three minutes, with the help of only one slide. The audience and a panel of judges then voted for the best presentation. The prize; submission for a place in the national 3MT semi-final (and more immediately a £100 Amazon gift card for each vote).
(Each presentation will be available on the conference blog).

11:00am – Networking break

Attendees left the Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre for some tea, coffee and networking. A range of researchers and staff from different schools and career stages were encouraged to chat and share ideas, and many took the opportunity.

11:30am – Workshops

Following the break, attendees had the opportunity to attend one of three research workshops.

Innovate UK: Collaborative Research with Industry
NapieR – Developing an R user community at Edinburgh Napier
Not all Champagne and Canapes: How to be more resilient in research

12:30pm – Lunch and Poster Presentations

Attendees take a break and get stuck into their lunch

After a quick lunch, attendees had time to browse the posters submitted to this year’s conference.

Posters were submitted from every school, from researchers at a variety of different levels, and were all presented enthusiastically and in brilliant detail. Another prize was also at stake for best poster, as voted by the attendees.

14:15pm – Staff Presentations

After that, attendees reconvened in the Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre for the staff presentations. Each member of staff had to follow the three minute thesis format, although questions were allowed following each presentation.
(The presentations will be available to view on the conference blog).

15:30 – Research Showcase and Awards

After the presentations were finished, attendees were invited to view the research on show in the lobby and have a drink and a snack.

Finally, to round off the day, Professor Nick Antonopolous presented prizes to the successful contributors.

From left to right: Anitha Karthik, Winner – Best Three Minute Thesis Presentation Audience vote, Winner – Best Three Minute Thesis Presentation Judges Vote. Niaz Gharavi and Ruth Saint, Winners – Best Poster. Professor Antonopoulos. Gary Hutchison, Winner – Best Staff Presentation.

Full information on this year’s research conference, including more pictures and videos, will be found on the main conference blog:https://blogs.napier.ac.uk/researchconference/

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