8:30-9:30 Registration and optional PhD Mood Board activity (with breakfast), (upper ground floor, Student Life Building)
9:30-9:45 Welcome (208/209)
9:45-10:45 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) University Final (208/209)
10:45-11:15 Break
11:15-12:15 Parallel Talks:
- Dr Luke Olsson, Sport & Exercise Sciences, 'The Perils of Perfectionism: lessons learnt from research' followed by:
Prof Scott Foster, Business School, 'Exploring Connection and Belonging in Research Culture' (207) OR
- Dr Stephanie Shroot, SAGE Publishing 'Getting Published: how to navigate academic journals and stand out as a researcher' (208/9)
12:15-13:40 Lunch, Marketplace and Poster Session (upper ground floor)
Visit the marketplace to find out about a range of resources to support you during your doctorate and buy tickets for a raffle in aid of The Whitechapel Centre. A professional photographer is also available if you want a headshot for your online profile.
13:00-13:40 Poster session (level 2). Talk to poster presenters about their research and complete the poster discovery trail to win a prize!
13:45-15:00 Parallel PGR presentations:
- 'Imperfect presentations': a chance for PGRs to practise a seven-minute section of a forthcoming conference presentation (206)
- Micro-tutorials: come along and learn something new! PGRs will deliver seven-minute interactive tutorials on an element of their research (207)
15:00-15:20 Break
15:20-16:10 Supervisor Panel Discussion (208/209)
Dr Freya O'Brien, Law & Justice Studies
Dr Michael Richter, Psychology
Dr Marie Martig, Astrophysics
Dr Lawrence Foweather, Sport & Exercise Sciences
Experienced supervisors share insights into doctoral study, common challenges and effective supervisory relationships. Framed by the festival theme, the panel explores the role of perfectionism in doctoral research culture, and ways of fostering a healthier and more collaborative environment.
16:10-16:40 Close, prize announcements and raffle (208/209)
16:40-17:30 Festival reception (207)
Choose from one of the following formats to share your research:
Posters
An A1, landscape poster offering a taster of your research. Posters should be visually engaging and accessible to a non-specialist academic audience, and contain no more than 500 words.
Posters will be displayed at the festival venue in two groups: early stage and mid-later stage. If you are in the early stages of research and don’t yet have findings to report, your poster can focus on the aim of the research, reasons for undertaking it, where it fits within a broader field, and methodology. If you have already collected some data, your poster can include initial findings and analysis.
You can find lots of poster resources and examples on the Researcher Development Programme Canvas site (If you’re not already enrolled, join canvas).
We are also running training sessions on research posters:
Friday 10 April, 11am to 12pm
Register for the Friday 10 April session
Thursday 7 May, 11am to 12pm
Register for the Thursday 7 May session
Micro-tutorial
A seven-minute tutorial for peers on an element of your research (choose a small, interesting sub-topic rather than your entire project!). The focus is on teaching, not presenting, so no PowerPoint slides allowed, but you may use props, handouts, or visual images if helpful. Your tutorial should be pitched at other doctoral researchers from any subject area. If you have undertaken the 3is course, this is similar to the microteaching element (but even shorter!). Audience members will be asked to complete a short anonymous peer feedback form on your tutorial.
‘Imperfect presentation’: conference presentation in progress
If you have a conference presentation coming up and would like to get some feedback on it, this format is for you! This is an opportunity to practise a seven-minute section of your presentation and receive some constructive feedback on your delivery and presentation style from peers in a supportive space.
The festival will also host the LJMU Final of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. The overall LJMU winner will receive £500 and will go through to the UK 3MT semi-finals. There will also be a People’s Choice vote on the day for a £250 prize.
To be eligible for the 3MT final, you need to take part in your faculty 3MT heat. The HITS 3MT takes place on 25 March and the S+C 3MT is at the Faculty PGR day on the 13 April.
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a communications competition for doctoral researchers, originating at the University of Queensland. It challenges researchers to tell an intelligent, non-specialist audience what the research is about, why they are doing it, and why anyone should care in just three minutes.
You can find more 3MT information and resources on the Researcher Development Canvas site. You can also find lots of examples of 3MT presentations on the previous PGR Festivals pages below.
Rio Foster
I am a PhD candidate in my final year. Throughout my career so far, I have worked in the NHS for 7 years delivering general and mental health services to adults, children and young people. I also have experiences delivering school-based interventions in primary and secondary schools to support young people with special educational needs and test-anxiety. To maintain my own wellbeing, I enjoy exercising, travelling, and going to live music concerts.
Ellie Glover
I am a fifth year Professional Doctorate student in Sport and Exercise Psychology. My research looks at the longitudinal practitioner development of trainee and qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologists.
Zhitian Hu
I am a third-year PhD student in the School of Biological and Environmental Science. My research focuses on the effects of the environment on animal physiology and behaviour. I am excited to be a member of the committee for the 2026 PGR Festival, and my team and I will work together to create a captivating and memorable event. Looking forward to seeing you on May 19th.
Che Spencer Pote
I am a second year PhD candidate in the International Relations and Politics department. My doctoral research draws on critical theory to explore the dynamics of US power and its impact on Colombia's pursuit for domestic peace. I focus on US INCLE Aid and its impact on Colombia's post-accord peace process. I'm excited to be part of the PGR Festival 2026 committee!
