DCU hosts Irish Postgraduate Research Conference

DCU last week hosted the inaugural Irish Postgraduate Research Conference (www.iprc.ie).

The conference attracted over 120 delegates from universities across Ireland and abroad.

The theme of the event was Research Contributing to Society, and aimed at improving interdisciplinary research communication.

The occasion gave students a platform to showcase their research and ideas through oral presentations and poster presentations.

This year, the conference also gave early-stage researchers the opportunity to present their thoughts and ideas in a feedback-oriented Young Researchers Session. 

The conference also featured keynote speakers such as Brian Trench, President of the PCST (Public Communication of Science and Technology) Network on 'Research Communication Across Different Frontiers', and Mathias Möschel from the Central European University in Budapest, on 'Veil Bans as Harassment'.

In addition, the delegates attended different professional development workshops with the aim of improving their skills in (1) Research Communication, (2) Grant Writing, (3) Literature Referencing and (4) Data Collection and Analysis.

A expert panel discussion on 'The Influences of Populism on Research and Higher Education' was also hosted, which was opened by Judith Sargentini, the Member of the European Parliament who initiated actions against Hungary's ban on Gender Studies. Her opening speech was followed by Mathias Möschel (CEU), followed by Prof. Jane Ohlmeyer, chair of the IRC, Tom Boland, education consultant at BH Associates and former chief of the Higher Education Authority, Dr. Ian Cooper from the DCU Brexit Institute and Dr. Erika Biagini a DCU researcher in Middle Eastern Politics from the DCU Institute for International Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction. The panel was chaired by Dr. Eugenia Siapera from the DCU School of Communications. 

The conference was a great success, allowing students to share ideas, learn and form bonds of friendship.

Congratulations to everyone involved in organising the conference.