Guidelines

The overall theme of this year’s PhD Day is ‘Humanities greatest challenges’, focusing on Global Health (pandemics and antimicrobial resistance) and The Environmental Crisis. We encourage everyone to reflect on the latter in their research. The Department of Biology is a broad institute with research in many different and specialised fields therefore try to motivate and put your research in context for the audience. Try to answer questions like: why is your research interesting and important? How can your research be applied? How does your research fit into our current understanding of biological systems? What problems might you research help solve?

Selection criteria

The PhD day committee will select a number of talks and 60 poster presentations from the best submitted abstracts within each presentation type.  

Please use the following abstract template

We will attempt to do this in a way that best achieves the broadest representation of BIO (section based) as well as attaining gender neutrality amongst speakers. However, the selection will first and foremost be based on the following criteria in order of priority:

  • High academic level
  • Formulation and communication skills
  • impact and originality of project

The best talk and posters will receive a substantial prize so be sure to apply!!

Oral presentations

A 15 minutes  relatively brief and precise presentation of  your research subject.

The form of the presentation is free but should focus on “delivering the overall message” rather than giving lengthy details on a specific topic. The challenge is to simplify and communicate your topic. You can choose to focus on a method or the conclusion of your research. However you must have data to present.

Please use the abstract template here

A work shop will be provided  to help with presentation techniques and how best to communicate your science.

Requirements for oral presentations
  • 12 minutes presentation and 3 minutes of questions. The chairperson will give a notice when there are 2 minutes left and will terminate the talk when the time is up.
  • Talks are presented in English.
  • PowerPoint presentations or other types of electronic aids, which can run from a PC or MAC, are accepted. PowerPoint will be installed, but for other visual aid programs contact the organisers at least a week ahead of the PhD day.
  • The presentation should not exceed 60 MB.
  • Animations or video clips have to work within PowerPoint and not rely on computers being online or upon additional software.
  • If you require audio for your presentation, please contact the organisers at least a week ahead of the PhD day, i.e.before the presenter’s workshop.
  • Presentations have to be sent to the organisers before the 11th of November.
  • Presenters should make themselves known to the organisers in the break before their talk.
  • The requirements and tips can the downloaded here

Posters

The form is free but should focus on “delivering the overall message” rather than giving lengthy details on a specific topic. The challenge is to simplify and communicate your topic. You can choose to focus on a method or the conclusion of your research.

Please use the abstract template here

Requirements for posters
  • Posters are presented in English
  • Portrait orientation
  • Maximum size of A0
  • Requirements and tips for posters can be downloaded here