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Making an Impact - HEA science communication competition for research students

The Higher Education Authority and the Irish Independent are inviting research students in any discipline to make a short submission on the difference that their research work will make to a particular aspect of Irish life, to the country as a whole or indeed, internationally.

Five researchers will be put forward, and the most innovative or challenging ideas will be invited to present how their research is making an impact at a public event at The Helix at Dublin City University on Tuesday 24th April. They will have a maximum of ten minutes to make the presentation, followed by a brief question and answer session with an expert panel.

Two awards of €2,500 sponsored by the Irish Independent will be made at the end of the evening, one by the expert panel and the other by a vote of second level students who will form part of the audience.

Guidelines

1. This competition is open to any postgraduate research student or researcher in any discipline at any higher education institution in Ireland.
2. Entrants should focus on the impact that their research will have on Ireland or a particular aspect of Irish life.
3. Entries will be assessed on how effectively the entrant communicates the research and he/she should explain their work as if outlining it to a layperson. If you saw your idea/proposal in a news story, would you read it?
4. The submission can be in any format – written (no more than 1,000 words), audio-visual (no more than 10 minutes in length) or any other form.
5. Those selected for the final must be available to travel to the Helix, DCU on Tuesday 24th April to make a brief presentation (max 10 minutes) before a panel and an audience of their work. The panelists may ask up to three questions. Travel expenses will be provided for finalists and accommodation for those from outside Dublin.
6. Finalists will also be profiled in the Irish Independent and on the HEA website.
7. Closing date for submissions is 5pm on Monday 27th February.