Celebrating success

A new book shares a fresh approach to creative PhDs, biomechanics scholar tops again, celebrating our HDR Supervisor of the Year, and space archaeologist joins United Nations space mentoring program.

Book shares fresh path and new clarity on creative PhDs

A new book has been published written by some of the University’s leaders in higher degree by research studies – Dean of Graduate Research Professor Tara Brabazon, established stage and screen actor and casual academic Tiffany Lyndall-Knight, and HDR examinations coordinator Natalie Hills.

The Creative PhD: Challenges, Opportunities, Reflection (Emerald Publishing) delves into the assumptions and expectations suffered by creative-led research doctorates. It is the first book to challenge the standards, structure and value of this research and demonstrates that arts-based research practice doctorates can transcend traditional humanities subjects beyond the creative arts and media.

Professor Brabazon says the publication is a lovely moment for the University, as an amalgamation of professional and academic staff members alongside a remarkable actor and award winning higher degree student.

“So often the role of professional staff is forgotten in higher degrees. This book creates new knowledge and new collaborations,” she says.

This fresh look at HDR degrees is available now on ebook or paperback.

Biomechanics scholar tops again

Sophie Rapagna

Congratulations PhD candidate Sophie Rapagna who has been selected as one of just four finalists in the The European Society of Biomechanics student award. As a finalist in this international honour she will present her paper ‘Cartilage thickness correlates with in vivo knee joint loading indices in osteoarthritis’ at the society’s 2020 conference, via webinar on 13 July 2020.

Miss Rapagna is undertaking a PhD within the Medical Device Research Institute under the supervision of Dr Egon Perilli and Prof Karen Reynolds. Her research explores lower limb bone microarchitecture and biomechanics, specifically tibial cartilage morphology and subchondral bone micro-architecture in knee osteoarthritis, using micro-computed tomography.

This latest honour adds to an already impressive list of achievements for the emerging biomechanic expert.

HDR supervisor of the year

Dr Helen McLaren

Dr Helen McLaren has received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision for 2019

From the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Dr McLaren’s research and supervisory interests include gender and development, public policy, life chances of women and children, and social work.

As part of her prize Dr McLaren will deliver professional development to HDR supervisors on the topics:

  • Too close for comfort: Working with students re-traumatised by their thesis
  • Co-designing HDR journey: Back-to-front mapping to advance students’ dreams

Read more

Space archaeologist builds mentoring contributions

Associate Professor Alice Gorman has joined the United Nations Office for Out of Space Affairs (UNOOSA) as a member of its mentor network, who help to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the space sector through their mentoring roles.

UNOOSA is the United Nations office responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and is responsible for implementing the Secretary-General’s responsibilities under international space law and maintaining the United Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space.

The Office also conducts international workshops, training courses and pilot projects on topics such as remote sensing, satellite navigation, tele-education and basic space sciences, and has a 24-hour hotline for satellite imagery requests during disasters.

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