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 10 July 2025.

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 2025 event takes place in-person and online on Thursday 10 July 2025 from 10.00am-4.40pm 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.

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.

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

Welcome

  • Dr Darren Van Laar, Director of the Doctoral College

Portland 1.74

10.10am - 10.30am

Keynote - Current trends in research and innovation

  • Professor Vikas Kumar, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)

Portland 1.74

10.30am - 11.30am

Three research presentations and Q&A panel

  • Amy Huseyin, Faculty of Science and Health
  • Odartey Lamptey, Faculty of Technology
  • Nancy Stimson, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Portland 1.74

11.30am - 11.50am

Break - tea, coffee and biscuits

Portland Atirum

11.50am - 12.50pm

Three research presentations and Q&A panel

  • Laura Hogben, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Jolene Orlowski, Faculty of Science and Health
  • Jack C-T Adams, Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries

Portland 1.74

12.50pm - 1.45pm

BBQ lunch

  • Poster, Visualise and Craft Your Thesis viewing
  • Last opportunity for public votes

Portland Atrium

1.45pm - 2.35pm

Five by Five

  • Jennifer Alex, Faculty of Business and Law
  • Mak Okay-Ikenegbu, Faculty of Technology
  • Alexine Clarke, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Jelani Adams, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Harry Gates, Faculty of Science and Health
  • Joe Ball, Faculty of Science and Health
  • Nasra Bedwi, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Portland 1.74

2.35pm - 3.35pm

Three research presentations and Q&A panel

  • Moyosore Akintomide, Faculty of Business and Law

  • Max Dixon, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Grace Chege, Faculty of Science and Health

Portland 1.74

3.35pm - 3.50pm

Research success

  • Dr Rachael Odunmbaku

Portland 1.74

3.50pm - 4.20pm

Drinks and cake reception

  • And 'Networking My Thesis' competition

Portland Atrium

4.20pm - 4.40pm

Competition prizes

4.40pm - 8.00pm

Post festival social evening

Enquiries

For more information about the festival, please contact the Doctoral College team at docfest@port.ac.uk.