Research stars rewarded

^{05 October 2012}

This year’s research symposium was yet again a chance for Unitec’s research stars to show off their hard work in front of an audience of likeminded staff.

Hosted by the Research Office and Postgraduate Centre, and attended by staff members and students from around Unitec, the symposium highlighted some of the remarkable research projects taking place in various corners of the Unitec campus.

The big award up for grabs on the day was the Research with Impact Prize, hotly contested by the five finalists. Congratulations to Linda Kestle, Chandimal Jayawardena, Marcus Williams, Nigel Adams, and Kathryn Davies for their fascinating presentations on the day. After much deliberation the judges awarded the prize to Nigel Adams who talked about his research into mitigating the impact of the toxin 1080 on native birds during pest control operations.

After the award speeches, the symposium streams broke off into sessions on a variety of topics from dog bites in Samoa to cardio-respiratory system efficiency in rowers and the effectiveness of double glazing. It was a clear indication of the array of research that goes on every day at Unitec.

The other award up for grabs on the day was the popular Three Minute Thesis competition for post-graduate students. The competitors each had three minutes to concisely and clearly talk about their research to a non-specialist audience. There were 15 entrants, and a very high standard was set by this year’s participants. From illustration and photography research projects to branding, phishing and social practice – it was all covered. Master of Design student Vicky Te Puni was announced the overall winner for her photography project on Maori educational journeys.

Congratulations to everyone who was involved, and thank you to the hardworking team at the Research Office and Postgraduate Centre for putting it all together.

Winner of the Research with Impact Prize:

Nigel Adams, representing a research team involving Lorne Roberts, Tamsin Orr-Walker, Josh Kemp, and Eric Spur.

Overall winner of the Three minute Thesis competition:

Vicky Te Puni, supervisor Marcus Williams.

Runners Up in the Three minute Thesis competition:

In no particular order, Oliver Kraft and Saul Taylor.