Group photo of attendees- Festival of Doctoral ResearchFOR GRADUATE SCHOOL USE ONLY

Celebrate our postgraduate research

A vibrant event run by and for research students

The Doctoral College and the Super Rep Group is delighted to invite you to our celebration of postgraduate research at the University of Portsmouth on Thursday 9 July 2026.

We are excited to be holding this year’s festival in-person once more, and it will also be live-streamed to those of you wishing to join us online.

The festival will showcase the innovative research of all postgraduate research students including MRes, MPhil, PhD, Professional Doctorate and PhD by Publication.

Please see the opportunities below to enter competitions and apply to present.

What’s happening at this year’s festival?

Our 2026 event takes place in-person and online on Thursday 9 July 2026 from 10.00am-5.00pm in Portland Building, with a post-festival social evening, for those that wish to carry on their conversations, at The Dockyard Pub in Guildhall Walk.

A full programme includes a keynote talk on the current trends in research and innovation, PGR research presentations from all faculties, Five by Five talks, and competitions inviting you to submit posters, visualise your research and even craft your thesis. All this plus opportunities for friendly networking.

Book your place

Group photo of attendees- Festival of Doctoral ResearchFOR GRADUATE SCHOOL USE ONLY

Book for the in-person festival

Hands typing on laptop

Book for the online festival

Programme

Time

Main Event
09.45am - 10.00am

Registration - tea and coffee

  • Poster, Visualise and Craft Your Thesis viewing
  • Competition voting opens

Portland Atrium
10.00am - 10.10am
  • Dr Darren Van Laar, Director of the Doctoral College

Portland 1.74
10.10am - 10.20am
  • Professor Vikas Kumar, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)

Portland 1.74
10.20am - 11.20am

Three research presentations and Q&A panel

  • Lusi Elkins, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Rachael Newman, Faculty of Business and Law
  • Tia Fletcher and Chris Pattison, Faculty of Science and Health

Portland 1.74
11.20am - 11.40am

Break - tea, coffee and biscuits

Portland Atirum
11.40am - 12.40pm

Three research presentations and Q&A panel

  • Jaclin Thompson, Faculty of Business and Law
  • Runa Maharjan, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Chris Santos-Lang, Faculty of Technology

Portland 1.74
12.40pm - 1.40pm

BBQ lunch

  • Poster, Visualise and Craft Your Thesis viewing
  • Knowledge Transfer Partnership stand
  • Last opportunity for public votes

Portland Atrium
1.40pm - 2.30pm

Five by Five

  • Victoria Giacomelli, Faculty of Science and Health
  • Nimantha Dasanayake, Faculty of Technology
  • Segun Ibigbemi, Faculty of Business and Law
  • Amir Hossein Hasanifard, Faculty of Science and Health
  • Renold Devaraj, Faculty of Business and Law
  • Cheryl Williams, Faculty of Science and Health

Portland 1.74
2.30pm - 2.40pm

Comfort break
2.40pm - 3.40pm

Three research presentations and Q&A panel

  • Sixtus Onyekwere, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Katt Grover, Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries

  • Rick Payne, Faculty of Business and Law

Portland 1.74
3.40pm - 4.00pm

Drinks and cake reception

  • And 'Networking My Thesis' competition

Portland Atrium
4.00pm - 4.30pm

Competition prizes
4.30pm - 8.00pm

Post festival social evening

  • The Dockyard Pub, Guildhall Walk

Student presentation and competition opportunities

Research presentations

Current MRes, MPhil, PhD, Professional Doctorate and PhD by Publication students across all faculties are invited to submit abstracts to deliver a 15 minute presentation on the day.

Research competitions

Current MRes, MPhil, PhD, Professional Doctorate and PhD by Publication students across all faculties are encouraged to apply for the competitions and to take part on the day. Prizes will be awarded for the winners.  

You may enter as many competitions as you like once, but please don't use the same images in the Research Poster and the Visualise Your Thesis competitions.

Enquiries

For more information about the festival, please contact the Doctoral College team at [email protected].

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