Celebrating Research, Impact and Innovation at the UDS Showcase 2026
The University Doctoral School (UDS) Showcase returned on 16 June as the flagship event in the newly expanded Postgraduate Research Festival, a month-long celebration of postgraduate research excellence across the University. Building on the momentum of the University’s 125th Anniversary, this year’s Showcase focused on Impact and Innovation, welcoming postgraduate researchers (PGRs), academic staff and local members of the Birmingham community. With a record number of attendees, it created an inspiring and welcoming space where ideas could be shared, new connections formed, and the achievements of our research community recognised.
The UDS Showcase programme brought together a range of engaging activities on the themes of Impact and Innovation. These included the annual Research Poster Competition and public exhibition, a Keynote panel featuring award-winning researchers and alumni, PGR-led reflections in the popular PGR Talks session, and the 2026 UDS Awards ceremony, which celebrated excellence across the research community. All recordings of the UDS Showcase can be watched on the official UDS YouTube channel.
The Showcase began with the Research Poster Competition, which this year saw strong engagement from across the postgraduate research community, with poster presentations from 94 current PGRs. Throughout the morning, PGRs shared their work with enthusiasm, sparking thoughtful conversations across disciplines.
The UDS Showcase then opened with a keynote panel featuring Professor Yemisi Takwoingi, Dr Alana Farrell, and Dr Tom Goodman, who offered practical insights on recognising innovation and creating impact through research. Attendees were encouraged to think creatively about how their work can apply and connect to the wider world.
In the afternoon, the PGR Talks session explored Black-led research at the University. Christine Makuve, Oluwaseun Olushola, Ellis Richards and Nneka Igwebuike delivered powerful and reflective presentations, creating space for open and meaningful discussion. The session acted as a reminder of the importance of representation, inclusion and diverse perspectives in research and beyond.
The day concluded with the UDS Awards ceremony and a drinks reception, where attendees gathered to celebrate the achievements of the University’s postgraduate research community.
Looking Ahead
The UDS Showcase 2026 was not only a celebration of PGR achievement, but also a reminder of the strength and diversity of the University’s postgraduate research community. The enthusiasm of participants and the high quality of research on display made the day truly memorable.
For those who attended, the Showcase offered inspiration, new perspectives and connection. For those considering taking part in the future, it demonstrated the value of sharing research in a supportive and engaging environment.
The University Doctoral School extends its warmest congratulations to all winners and participants. Their contributions made the day exceptional, and they continue to shape a vibrant research culture at Birmingham.
Explore the 2026 UDS Award winners listed below, including the Research Poster Competition, and join us in celebrating!
University Doctoral School Award Winners 2026
This year’s awards recognised excellence across all five Colleges, highlighting outstanding supervision and exceptional research publications.
College of Arts and Law (CAL)
- Excellence in Doctoral Research Supervision
Ioanna Katapidi, Department of History, Assistant Professor in Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Economic Development
- The Michael K. O’Rourke Best Publication Award
Héloïse Sénéchal, School of English, Drama and Creative Studies
‘The “dwellinge howse on the Banckside”: John Heminges and the Neighborhood of the Globe Playhouse’, published in the Shakespeare Quarterly (Spring 2025)
College of Social Sciences (CoSS)
- Excellence in Doctoral Research Supervision
Dr Elena Denezhkina, Department of International Development
- The Michael K. O’Rourke Best Publication Award
Elliot Wassell, School of Education
‘Experiences of autistic joy’, published in Disability and Society (May 2025)
College of Medicine and Health (CMH)
- Excellence in Doctoral Research Supervision
Dr Natalie Poulter, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
- The Michael K. O’Rourke Best Publication Award
Jack Le Vance, School of Applied Health Sciences
‘Teleultrasound in obstetrics: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, published in PLoS Medicine (February 2026)
College of Life and Environmental Sciences (LES)
- Excellence in Doctoral Research Supervision
Dr Stephan Lautenschlager, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
- The Michael K. O’Rourke Best Publication Award
Octavia Brayley, School of Biosciences
‘The Microbiome of an Invasive Antarctic Insect…’, published in Microbial Ecology (February 2026)
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS)
- Excellence in Doctoral Research Supervision
Dr Jack Bishop, School of Physics and Astronomy
- The Michael K. O’Rourke Best Publication Award
Sam Dettmer, School of Chemistry
‘Supramolecular Recognition of a DNA Four-Way Junction…’, published in the Angewandte Chemie International Edition (April 2025)
Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Winners
- Winner
Zhenyan Yin, School of Education
‘How Learning Word Parts Makes a Difference in Bilingual Children’
- Judges’ Runners-Up
Princess Jemima Nambo, School of Health Sciences
‘Cervical screening through the lens of faith and culture’
- Helen Trinder, School of Psychology ‘Understanding empathy and its role in inhibiting violence’
- People’s Choice Award
Isobel Goodger, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology
‘The Power of Poo’
Research Poster Competition Winners
- First Prize
Rebecca Humphreys-Lamford
‘Televising Asexuality: Insights from the Ace Community’
- Second Prize
Isobel Goodger
‘Could swallowing poo cure inflammatory bowel disease?’
- Third Prize
Deanne Brettle
‘Birmingham, a superdiverse city for both people and trees’
- People’s Choice Award
Basith Adji ‘When rivers run dry: Extreme drought amplifies critical thermal maxima in freshwater macroinvertebrates under long-term warming’
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College Special Awards
- College of Arts and Law: Bayan Masoud, ‘Police Investigations of Domestic Abuse Cases in Saudi Arabia: A Socio-Legal Analysis’
- College of Social Sciences: Olivia Petie, ‘Food, Dignity and a Sense of Home in Asylum Hotels in the UK’
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences: Rita Hira, ‘Facets of Impulsivity within Conduct Disorder: A Three-Level Meta Analysis’
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences: Kabeer Abdulhusein, ‘Direct Visualisation of Conjugated Polymer Tie-Chains’
- College of Medicine and Health: Julia Avelino Ballavenuto, ‘Virtual Wards: Promise, Practice and Digital Care’
- Digital Scholarship Award (sponsored by AM Digital)
Alison Fulop ‘Empowering Vulnerable Young Peoples’ Voices: Their Perspectives on a New Classroom Collaborative Game’
Quotes from attendees:
"My favourite part of the Showcase was the opportunity to present my research to a wider audience and engage in meaningful discussions about my work. I also enjoyed the award ceremony, which celebrated the achievements of students and researchers across the University"
"The keynote panel was really good - loved the focus on research impact and beyond PhD activities"
