Authors: Visesh Vignesh and Mehryar Jafri
Throughout this past academic year 2022/23, the Department of Chemical Engineering has run a seminar series of weekly lectures both in-person and virtually, featuring renowned invited speakers, and complemented by concise flash presentations from the department's researchers. The seminar series has become an indispensable platform for knowledge exchange in the department and serves as a powerful tool to promote active intra/inter-university collaboration, enhance departmental visibility, and impart knowledge in the field of chemical engineering.
From seminar series to PhD Pitch Event
The seminar series has introduced a novel addition this year: the 1st Year PhD Pitch event. This special occasion was organised to integrate the incoming cohort of PhD students into the department and provide them with an opportunity to showcase their exciting research. During the event, 11 enthusiastic first-year PhD students presented captivating 5-minute pitches, exposing their research objectives, its significance, and the personal motivations driving their work.
Under the co-chairpersonship of Mr. Tom Davies and Ms. Sadeka Nujhat, and with invaluable support from Ms. Jennifer Penman, all fellow PhD students, the event was a resounding success. The audience, comprising academic and research staff, as well as fellow PhD students, actively engaged with the presentations. At the event's conclusion, participants voted for their favourite pitch, and two outstanding researchers, Mr. Visesh Vignesh, investigating rapid diagnostics, and Mr. Mehryar Jafri, exploring artificial intelligence for membranes development, were awarded winner and runner-up, respectively.
The insightful video below captures their pitches and provides a glimpse into their research journeys, motivations, and the rewarding experience of participating in this unique event
Chemical Engineering PhD Pitch Competition 2023
PhD Pitches
A few other key PhD pitches from the event:
Ethan Grigor, a first-year PhD student working on Advanced Studies of Flow and Sorption Processes in Personal Protective Respirators, described the pitch as a "flash pitch" delivered to peers, followed by a brief question and answer session. Ethan emphasised the importance of presenting oneself, the research topic, and its relevance to the department, allowing faculty members to gain insight into students' work. He was delighted in the diverse range of topics covered by his peers, which spanned from cultured meat to 3D printing of monoliths for filters. Ethan found the atmosphere to be light-hearted, fostering camaraderie among like-minded academics passionate about chemical engineering.
Sadeka Nujhat, a second-year PhD student who helped chair the session, provided another perspective on the event. She highlighted that students relished the opportunity to share their research topics with department colleagues and receive feedback from a diverse group of individuals. The chance to learn from their peers and witness different approaches to pitching research added tremendous value to the experience. Sadeka further noted the excitement and motivation generated by the opportunity to win prizes, including Amazon vouchers, which added an extra layer of enthusiasm to the event.
Kat Entwistle, a first-year PhD student working on Developing Novel Biodegradable Biopolymers with Superior Barrier Properties for Use within the Drinks Industry, the event proved transformative. Overcoming initial self-confidence and public speaking challenges, Kat acknowledged the tremendous support provided by Dr. Sanjay Nagarajan, one of the academics overseeing the event. A pre-event "practice and feedback" session allowed Kat to refine her presentation and receive invaluable suggestions, significantly boosting her confidence. The experience taught her how to control nerves when presenting to her peers and how to effectively handle questions under pressure.
Learning Outcomes
All the participants agreed that the PhD Pitch event proved invaluable. As they continue their doctoral journeys, the skills acquired from this event will serve them well in various scenarios, including future presentations, vivas, and academic discussions. The engaging atmosphere, mutual support, and positive feedback helped create a conducive environment that encouraged academic growth and camaraderie among researchers in the department.
For prospective participants in future PhD pitch competitions, Sadeka offered valuable advice: practice as much as possible, seek feedback from others, and focus on communicating the impact and relevance of your research to a non-specialist audience. She emphasised the significance of keeping presentations concise, engaging, and memorable.
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