Early Career Researcher Showcase
Wednesday 02 July 2025 | South Kensington

This inaugural event is a celebration of the research being carried out by the Early Career Researcher community at Imperial College London. 

It is ECRI’s mission to empower ECRs to raise their impact both within research and beyond. We aim to foster cross-disciplinary connections and would like to invite you to showcase your research to the wider research community at Imperial. It will be an opportunity to talk to researchers in other faculties and departments and potentially find and forge collaborations. 

During the Early Career Researcher Showcase, you will be able to present your scientific achievements to people from different fields and to the public. 

In parallel we will be running a competition for participants to communicate their research via a short presentation pitch, and a chance to win prizes. 

When you are presenting to anyone you should remember people can be from a different field than yours or from the public. 

Participants will be assessed on: 

  • the ability to explain their research in a way that can be shared with the public.
  • the visual impact & creativity of the presentation pitch.

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Eligibility and Competition Rules
  • The Showcase is open to the following groups:
    • Imperial College Postgraduate Doctoral Students
    • Imperial College Research Staff
  • All participants are required to present their research at the event on Wednesday 02 July 2025 from 11:00-13:00 in Seminar Rooms 119-122 in the Sir Alexander Fleming Building.
  • All participants will be allocated a 1m x 1m poster board or a table (to be chosen upon application).
  • Participants can use their poster board or table to display anything that will assist them in communicating their research. This could be a research poster, a selection of images/artwork or any other visual aids/props; this is your chance to be creative!
  • A £25 per participant expenses fund can be claimed to support the purchase of any materials or printing costs. (full details of how to claim to be provided)
  • Participants will be assessed by a selection of judges which will include Imperial staff and students from all levels of study.
  • Participants will be asked to present their research individually to each judge; the pitch should not exceed 3 minutes and must be aimed at a layperson.
  • Participants will be judged on their ability to explain their research in a way that can be shared with the general public and on how well they visually & creatively communicate their research (full judging criteria detailed below).
Judging Criteria

 

Category Considerations Maximum Score

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

 
  • Ability to explain clearly & concisely - Was the presentation easy to follow and understand? Did the presenter explain any jargon?
  • Pitched appropriately - Was the research communicated in a language appropriate to a lay audience?
  • Important points covered – Did you understand what the important parts of the research are? Did the presentation emphasise the main points?
  • Engaging – Did the presenter convey enthusiasm/passion for their research? Did the presentation hold your attention? Were you curious to find out more?
  10 pts

VISUAL IMPACT & CREATIVITY 
  • Visual appeal – are the visual aids eye catching? Do they help to highlight the key parts of the presentation?
  • Originality – Did the presentation stand out? Was the presenter creative with their use of visual aids?
  • Clarity – Did the use of visual aids complement and enhance the presentation pitch?
  10 pts
How to Apply
  • To enter the competition, please complete the following form to reserve your place.
  • We will be allocating up to  50 places on a first come first served basis; a waiting list will be set up for any additional interest.
  • If you are successful in being allocated a place, then you will be asked to submit a short lay summary of the research  you want to present (150-word maximum) by 5pm on Monday 02 June 2025.
Prize Information

The following prizes will be awarded:

  • 1st Prize - £500
  • 2nd Prize - £250
  • 3rd Prize - £150
  • People's Choice - £100 (voted for by visitors to the event)
  • Creativity Prize x 4 - £50 (awarded to our most creative participants)
Timetable
09:45 - 10:30 Registration & Set-Up Seminar Rooms 119-122, SAFB
11:00 - 13:00 Judging Session & Open Exhibition Seminar Rooms 119-122, SAFB
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch for participants Ground Floor Foyer, SAFB
14:30 - 15:30 Keynote Speech* & Prize Ceremony

*with Jack Leeming Senior Careers Editor, Nature

 G34 lecture theatre, SAFB
15:30 - 16:30 Drinks Reception & Networking Ground Floor Foyer, SAFB
Volunteer to be a judge!

We would like to invite all students and staff to join our official judging team!   

Judges will be allocated approximately four presenters to visit and assess their three-minute presentation pitches. There are two judging time slots to pick from: Judging Slot 1 (11.00-12.00) or  Judging Slot 2 (11:30-12.30).

This is a fantastic opportunity to hear more about the sorts of research taking place across Imperial.

Please complete the following form to volunteer.

If you have any questions about being a judge, please contact us.