July 19, 2016, by Lisa Chin
The Experience of Participating in the UNMC Research Showcase 2016
The winner of the Best Poster Awards of the UNMC Research Showcase 2016, Tan Jing Yang, shares his experience and tips from the competition. Here is what he has to say…
It all started with a pact I made with my fellow peers to participate in the Research Showcase together. We thought that it would be a great opportunity to share our ongoing work with a wider audience, outside the cubicles, workstations and laboratories. Firstly, we had to submit press releases outlining the essence of our research which were targeted at the general public. Particularly, the training course titled “Preparing a Press Release” provided helpful tips and guide for a novice like me in composing the written communication.
The next stage involved designing a poster, which served to convey the research idea in a visualised format, and presenting it during the exhibition. Images and illustrations included should be relatable to and understandable by the general public. One key point to bear in mind which was highlighted by the instructors during relevant training workshops is that the poster presentation is directed to members of the public who have little or no technical knowledge on the field of research. With that being said, the use of jargons and acronyms which the audience is oblivious to should be minimal. However, I found it unavoidable to mention a few scientific terms related to my research in the poster. To prevent confusion, I introduced and explained them in layman’s terms during my presentation. I even posed some questions just to make sure the listeners grasped the basic ideas about my research.
The research exhibition was both exciting and rewarding. Meeting other researchers and learning about their impressive work really opened up my mind. Coming from different disciplines, we discussed, shared and exchanged valuable opinions among each other. Undoubtedly, the poster presentation helped to enhance my communication skills, especially to the wider community. Furthermore, feedback gained from the audience generated a new perspective to my research which was thought-provoking. To sum up, it was indeed a fruitful experience for me which would benefit my research journey as a whole.
N.B. Many thanks to my supervisor, friends and the Graduate School for the support provided.
Tan Jing Yang, PhD student, Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, with his poster titled “Little FUEL in, Little SOOT out.”
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*Featured image – Tan received the Best Poster Award from one of the judges, Ms Ruth Tomlinson, Director of Special Projects, The Provost/CEO’s Office, UNMC. More information on the UNMC Research Showcase 2016 is available at: https://blogs.nottingham.edu.my/postgraduate/2016/04/29/unmc-research-showcase-2016/
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