Published in the Research School of Physics Event Horizon
Vol43 Issue70 21–25 May 2018

I’m writing to remind you of an exciting new competition for PhD candidates at all stages. This is the first year ANU will host a Visualise Your Thesis competition and the Dean, Higher Degree Research is eager for all ANU Colleges to participate.
 
Visualise Your Thesis is an exciting new competition created by the University of Melbourne that challenges graduate researchers to present their research in a 60 second, eye-catching digital display. Using a pre-supplied template, entrants are tasked with developing a striking looped presentation to encapsulate their research projects in short, engaging, digital narratives. Competition submissions are judged on their visual impact, and how well the content presents the research. The digital format allows for different levels of creativity, multi-media, interactivity and interpretation and is suitable for all disciplines.
Research pitching skills have become increasingly important for PhD students. You will be called on to pitch your research at conferences, in seminars and for various competitions - but what is pitching and how can you get good at it? The word ‘pitching’ can have bad connotations. Some see it as a commodification of research and researchers.

This is the first year ANU will host a Visualise Your Thesis competition and the Dean, Higher Degree Research is eager for all ANU Colleges to participate. I appreciate your support in encouraging your candidates to get involved, to attend our training available in data visualisation, PowerPoint skills and research communication led by our campus experts.
 
Training starts this month and continues in the following month ready for showcase on July 20th, this is a great opportunity to pair your candidates with your local communications teams to promote your schools research across campus. Finalist slides will be digitally displayed across campus with the winner being showcased in Melbourne later in the year.
 
If you have any questions, or ideas for opportunities, please do get in touch. We are eager to support your candidates showcase their incredible work. Below you will find more information to pass on to candidates, our website has all relevant information needed to participate in the competition. I’ve also attached some posters to display in your HDR areas. Visualise Your Thesis applications are required via email to researchtraining@anu.edu.au by 9am 2 July to be eligible for judging.
 
Key Dates and training calendar 2018
1 May                   Visualise your Thesis template available, here
30 May                 Visualise your Thesis workshops with the Thesis Whisperer
5 June                   Learn how to use PowerPoint to Visualise Your Thesis with the Library
6 June                   Visualise your Thesis clinic with the Thesis Whisperer
12 June                Designing a better slide deck to Visualise Your Thesis with the School of Design
2 July                     Visualise your Thesis submission due at 9am
9 July                     Visualise your Thesis applications will be judged with all applicants updated 
20 July                  Visualise Your Thesis competition Final, all welcome
21 July                  ANU Visualise Your Thesis winning slide shared with The University of Melbourne
20 October         Visualise Your Thesis National Showcase 2018
 
For more information, be sure to read the monthly HDR Update for regular news, and find out more on our Visualise Your Thesis website.