Award winners at the 2024 EMCRN Symposium.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) delved into the innovative research being produced at the University through two research symposiums that showcased its research stars at the forefront of innovation.
EMCRN Symposium
The annual Early and Mid-Career Researcher Network (EMCRN) Symposium showcases ECU’s rising research stars leading new frontiers in innovation.
The goal of the EMCRN is to promote a collegial and supportive culture across ECU in all research areas. This year, Symposium attendees were invited to engage in a panel discussion about leveraging AI for academic excellence and ethical practice, and to hear from 20 ECU researchers fuelling tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
Presentation topics covered a plethora of research areas ranging from zinc-air batteries to students' perceptions of wellbeing to health literacy within the Australian dance community to online brand advocacy.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Caroline Finch AO said that early and mid-career researchers are ECU's future scientific and research leaders.
"The annual EMCR Symposium allows the ECU community to celebrate the breadth and quality of EMCR research that is being completed at our University," Professor Finch said.
"ECU's brilliant minds are pushing the boundaries of knowledge."
This event was organised by ECU's EMCR Network Committee who invited researchers to submit a 5-minute video abstract about their research project. Each abstract was assessed on the clarity and depth of research being undertaken and provided a platform for early and mid-career researchers to increase the visibility of their work and raise their profile to a wider audience. The top abstracts were recognised with a Best Presentation Award as well as a category for People’s Choice.
ECU's Dean of Graduate Research, Professor Chris Abbiss proudly presented the Awards at the Symposium.
Dr Rina Wong from the School of Medical and Health Science was an award winner at the 2024 EMCRN Symposium.
Awards Winners
- Dr Rina Wong, School of Medical and Health Sciences
- Dr Myles Murphy, School of Medical and Health Sciences
- Dr Martina Costello, School of Nursing and Midwifery
- Dr Joanna Nicholas, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)
- Dr Patricia Cain, School of Arts and Humanities
Dr Kesara Prabhashwary Hewage from the School of Business and Law was a winner of the People's Choice Awards.
People's Choice Awards
- Dr Kesara Prabhashwary Hewage, School of Business and Law
- Ms Janelle Caddy, Kurongkurl Katitjin
- Dr Alexis Vassiley, School of Business and Law
- Dr Magdalena Wajrak, School of Science
Research Student Symposium
The second annual student led Research Student Symposium was recently held on Joondalup campus, providing an opportunity to foster networking, share knowledge and showcase the projects of ECU’s developing research candidates amongst students, staff, and community.
This year's theme, Expanding Horizons, celebrated ECU research students' journey towards the future, broadening both individual and collective knowledge while embracing diverse ideas and influences.
In response to the theme, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sport), Professor Sophia Nimphius provided a motivational keynote address to set the tone for the day. Later, a panel discussion on candidate success and employment, titled Expanding Horizons: Unlocking opportunities for future success, gave attendees the opportunity to consider different options for shaping their future.
The Research Student Symposium featured a panel discussion on candidate success and employment.
With over 50 Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates presenting their research, this event provided a platform to develop and refine essential communication and presentation skills as well as the opportunity to showcase exciting research happening at ECU.
Presentation topics ranged from cruciferous vegetables, visual arts and climate change, informal kinship care, resources and support for rural nurses, and more.
Prizes were awarded for the best presentations based on comprehension and content, engagement and communication, and professionalism and time management.
Award winners at the 2024 Research Student Symposium.
Award Winners
Group A
Winner: Lidia Biniam Medhin, School of Medical and Health Sciences
Runner Up: Naduni Wijethunga, School of Medical and Health Sciences
Group B
Winner: Scott Pelham, School of Arts and Humanities
Runner Up: Cathrine Frost, School of Business and Law
Group C
Winner: Kurt Macri, School of Science
Runner Up: Sadaf Vahabli, School of Engineering
Group D
Winner: Janelle Caddy, School of Arts and Humanities
Runner Up: Sharmeen Rakhi, School of Business and Law
Group E
Winner: Sarah Marie Fogarty, School of Education
Runner Up: Sarah Briggs, School of Education
Find out more about Research at ECU.
