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Research Talks

Our Speakers (times subject to change):

10:30- 11:20

Overcoming challenges during your PhD

Interactive Panel Discussion followed by Q&A: challenges that might face postgraduate researchers, and ways to overcome them. Hear from current PGRs, and early-career researcher, and an experienced supervisor!

Dr Jennifer Burns

is Associate Professor in the Department of Italian at the University of Warwick. Her research engages with contemporary Italian literature and culture and has moved from examining notions of political commitment and the ethics of reading and writing in postmodernity to a focus on recent literature authored by migrants in Italy.

Dr Morteza Soleimani

who has degrees in Electronics and Mechatronics from the University of Tabriz, Iran, and over four years of industry and teaching experience, earned his PhD in Mechanical and Automotive Engineering from the University of Bradford in 2021. His research, in collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover, focused on vehicle diagnostics and prognostics through integrated, data-driven approaches. Now an Assistant Professor at WMG in the Intelligent Vehicles group, he designs and teaches modules for Smart Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (SCAV) MSc students.

Yvette Wang

is a 3rd- year PhD student, researching teacher education for intercultural communication and language education. Her research interests span over applied linguistics, social psychology, and philosophy. Check her recent news Link opens in a new windowTo connect with Yvette:

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Liam Medlin

is a 4th year PhD student in Chemistry studying solid-state NMR. I have Asperger’s Syndrome and Anxiety Disorder, and face challenges in both academic and daily life.

Prior to joining Warwick, I studied in Japan where I obtained a BSc in Biological Sciences from Osaka University. My future aim is to return to Japan for work.

11:30 - 12:00

Finding joy in your research

Unlock the secrets to a fulfilling PhD and discover how to infuse passion, purpose, and pleasure into your research journey. Attend this interactive session by an expert in doctoral education!

Dr James Burford

is an Associate Professor of Global Education and International Development at the University of Warwick. His research interests include doctoral education and the academic profession. James is co-editor of the journal

Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education.

He tweets as @jiaburford

Dr Christopher Smith

is currently an NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Emergency Medicine, spending 50% of his time in Warwick CTU and 50% as an Emergency Medicine doctor. He completed an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship and gained his PhD Health Sciences at Warwick in 2021. He was awarded a Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine Thesis Prize in 2022. He will talk about his PhD journey and will share his (few pieces of) advice and (the many, many) mistakes he made along the way.

12:00 - 12:30

Success Stories

Discover the Path to Excellence: Attend a session where Warwick’s top thesis awardees share insights from their PhD experiences and the strategies behind their outstanding achievements.