Expanding the reach of your research
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
The Graduate Research Academy is pleased to invite contributions for the 2025 Graduate Research Conference: Expanding the reach of your research, running from Monday 17 to Thursday 20 November.
This four-day conference will explore how graduate researchers can:
- Collaborate across disciplinary boundaries
- Build global research partnerships
- Engage audiences beyond academia
The final day (Thursday 20 November, on campus) will feature a Showcase Extravaganza, including a keynote address, lightning presentations, poster displays, a photo competition, and networking.
We are currently seeking submissions for the following:
Lightning presentations: Do you want to demonstrate how your research matters, who it matters to, and how it could be shared beyond your discipline? Submit your abstract to present a 5-minute lightning presentation!
Research posters: Have research to showcase? Share your work visually with the Macquarie research community. Reusing a poster you've already presented this year is welcome!
Photo competition: Capture the research experience through your lens - from transformative moments to daily realities. Tell the story of life as a graduate researcher in one compelling image.
For further information, including the submission guidelines, online application forms and closing dates, check out the information for presenters below.
INFORMATION FOR PRESENTERS
Highlight the transformative impact of your research!
Do you have research with a significant impact? Here's your chance to showcase it!
Submit your abstract and seize the opportunity to highlight the transformative impact of your research in just five minutes. Impress our judges and captivate the audience for a chance to win prizes!
- Theme 1: "Imagine how your research might be used or applied beyond your current research environment. What form could that take?"
- Theme 2: "Why does your research matter and to whom? How do you (or how could you) share it beyond your field?"
- Presentation date: Thursday, 20 November 2025
- Presentation requirements: 5 minutes long, no more than four (4) powerpoint slides
Prizes
- First place: $300.00
- Second place: $200.00
- People's Choice: $100.00
PLUS
- All winners will be provided with the opportunity to promote their research in the MQ Lighthouse for media exposure.
Submission guidelines
To apply, submit an abstract for your research paper that is relevant to the theme. Please read the Presentation Guidelines before submitting your application.
- Application form
- Abstract deadline: Sunday 14 September 2025
- Notification of acceptance: Friday 26 September 2025
Apply now and make your impact known!
Showcase your research impact!
Do you have research that makes a difference? Macquarie's research community would love to see it!
Submit your abstract and design an eye-catching poster that highlights the powerful impact of your research. Impress our judges and win over the audience to claim prizes!
- Theme: "Showcase your research"
- Presentation date: Thursday 20 November 2025
- Poster size: Between A3 to A0
Prizes
- First place: $300.00
- Second place: $200.00
- People's Choice: $100.00
Submission guidelines
To apply, submit an abstract for your research poster that is relevant to the theme. Already presented a poster about your research this year? Great news - you can reuse it for this conference! Please read the Presentation Guidelines before submitting your application.
- Application form
- Abstract deadline: Sunday 14 September 2025
- Notification of acceptance: Friday 26 September 2025
Submit now and promote your research!
A day in the life of a researcher!
Do you have a compelling story to tell about the daily life of a researcher? Here's your chance to showcase it!
Submit your photo and capture the essence of your research journey. Highlight the transformative moments and everyday experiences that define your work. Impress our judges and captivate the audience for a chance to win prizes!
- Theme: “A day in the life of a researcher”
- Presentation date: Thursday 20 November 2025
- Creative brief: Capture any aspect of living the “life of a graduate researcher” within a single image (i.e., no composite or panelled images).
Prizes
- First place: $300.00
- Second place: $200.00
- People's Choice: $100.00
Submission guidelines
To apply, submit your photo with one sentence outlining how your photo relates to the theme. Please read the competition Terms and Conditions before submitting your application.
- Application Form
- Submission deadline: Sunday 2 November 2025
- Winners will be announced at the conference on Thursday 20 November 2025
Apply now and let your story be seen!
Presenting at this conference - or another - soon? Want to improve your public speaking for future presentations?
This 2.5-hour workshop covers several less-obvious but essential skills for participating fully in academic conferences. From presenting posters and lightning presentations to chairing sessions and networking with a cup of coffee and pastry in your hands, you’ll not only hear some great advice but get to practise with real props!
- 9.30am - 12.00pm, Monday 10 November 2025 - register via myRDC
This year’s Conference presenters and sessions chairs should definitely register, but any graduate researcher who plans to attend, present at, or apply for a conference is welcome.
DRAFT PROGRAM
MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER (online)
Time | Session |
9.45am – 10.00am | Welcome to day 1: Beyond disciplinary frontiers Gain insight into the opportunities and challenges of working across disciplinary boundaries, and discover strategies for building effective, collaborative research teams that address complex, contemporary/worldly issues. |
10.00am – 11.30am Registration opening soon | Collaborating across boundaries: strategies for effective research teams Are you working in a research team that brings together different disciplines, perspectives, or expertise? Do you sometimes wonder how to contribute effectively, communicate clearly, and get the most out of collaborative projects? This workshop will help you navigate the opportunities and challenges of interdisciplinary teamwork. Presented by Hugh Kearns from iThinkWell. |
11.30am – 11.45am | Break |
11.45am – 1.00pm Registration opening soon | Working across boundaries – interdisciplinary research in action This panel session explores why interdisciplinary research is essential for tackling today’s complex challenges and how researchers can successfully navigate its unique demands. Panelists will share insights from their own projects, revealing how different disciplines come together in unexpected and powerful ways.. |
1.00pm - 1.30pm | Break |
1.30pm - 3.00pm Registration opening soon | What I wish I knew before starting my research masters This student-led panel is designed to support those preparing to transition into the Master of Research. Featuring current MRes students, the session will offer honest reflections and practical tips on moving from structured coursework to independent research. Panelists will share their experiences of building early research skills, finding their feet in new academic environments, and connecting with supervisors, peers, and broader research networks. |
TUESDAY 18 NOVEMBER (online)
Time | Session |
9.45am – 10.00am | Welcome to day 2: Global research connections Expand your international research presence by learning how to build global partnerships and publish in high-impact global journals. |
10.00am – 11.30am Registration opening soon | Collaborating across borders: building successful international research partnerships This workshop offers strategies for building and sustaining successful international research collaborations. Participants will explore how to find the right partners, navigate cultural differences, and communicate effectively across borders. With a focus on trust, mutual benefit, and real-world examples, the session will highlight what makes international partnerships thrive—and how they can open doors to new ideas, funding, and global research opportunities. |
11.30am – 11.45am | Break |
11.45am – 1.00pm Registration opening soon | Publishing and funding on a global stage: navigating international journals and grants This session supports graduate researchers in navigating the global research landscape by providing guidance on publishing and funding at an international level. Participants will learn how to identify reputable journals, align with international publishing standards, and avoid common pitfalls such as predatory outlets. The session will also introduce key international funding bodies, offering tips for successful applications and highlighting timelines and expectations. |
1.00pm - 1.30pm | Break |
1.30pm - 3.00pm Registration opening soon | What I wish I knew before starting my PhD This panel session offers practical insights and advice for Master of Research students considering or preparing for doctoral study. Featuring current PhD students, the discussion will explore how to make the transition with confidence, build on existing skills, and lay the groundwork for a research career with global impact. Panelists will share their experiences of choosing the right path, finding supportive supervisors, and developing a strong research profile early on - highlighting what they’ve learned, what they wish they’d known, and what makes a PhD both challenging and rewarding. |
WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER (online)
Time | Session |
9.45am – 10.00am | Welcome to day 3: Engaging wider audiences Strengthen your ability to communicate the value of your research by developing skills in media engagement, public outreach, and building productive partnerships beyond academia. |
10.00am – 11.30am Registration opening soon | Making research mainstream: media communication & public engagement skills This workshop equips graduate researchers with the skills to communicate their research clearly, confidently, and effectively beyond academic settings. Participants will learn how to tailor their message for different audiences, work with media channels, and engage the public through blogs, talks, podcasts, and social media. |
11.30am – 11.45am | Break |
11.45am – 1.00pm Registration opening soon | Building bridges: partnering with industry in research This workshop introduces graduate researchers to the fundamentals of engaging with industry, offering practical guidance on how to identify, approach, and collaborate with partners beyond academia. Through a panel discussion featuring voices from research and industry, the session will explore different models of partnership - such as placements, co-funded projects, and consultancy - and provide strategies for framing research in ways that resonate with non-academic audiences. Researchers will leave with a clearer understanding of how to build connections that enhance both the relevance and impact of their work. |
1.00pm - 1.30pm | Break |
1.30pm - 3.00pm Registration opening soon | What I wish I knew before finishing my PhD This panel session supports PhD students nearing completion as they prepare to transition into the next phase of their research careers, whether in academia, industry, or other global sectors. Recent graduates and early career researchers will share practical strategies for navigating this critical period, including how to identify and pursue opportunities, plan publications strategically, and build networks that extend beyond the doctoral journey. Drawing on their own experiences, panelists will offer valuable advice on shaping a research profile with international reach and continuing professional growth after submission. |
THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER (on campus)
Time | Session Registration opening soon |
9.00am – 9.30am | Registration and arrival coffee Poster presentations and photo competition |
9.30am – 9:45am | Welcome to Day 4: Extending the reach of your research |
9.45am - 11.00am | Keynote Speaker: TBC |
11.00am - 11.15am | Morning tea |
11.15am –12.45pm | Lightning presentations Imagine how your research might be used or applied beyond your current research environment. What form could that take? Presenters: Group 1: TBA Group 2: TBA Group 3: TBA Group 4: TBA |
12.45pm – 2.00pm | Lunch / Networking Session PLUS poster presentations and photo competition |
2.00pm – 3.30pm | Lightning presentations Why does your research matter and to whom? How do you (or how could you) share it beyond your field? Presenters: Group 1: TBA Group 2: TBA Group 3: TBA Group 4: TBA |
3.30pm – 3.45pm | Light refreshments |
3.45pm – 4.00pm | Awards & event wrap-up |
Level 2, 16 Wally's Walk
Macquarie University NSW 2109