Held at the West Park Teaching Hub on the East Midlands campus and streamed live online, the Showcase welcomed around 300 attendees for a vibrant celebration of research, creativity, and community. Designed as both a celebration and development opportunity, the event encouraged doctoral researchers to step beyond disciplinary boundaries, communicate their work in accessible and engaging ways, and strengthen their skills in networking, public engagement, and research dissemination.
The programme for the event was packed with highlights, including:
- Rapid Research Relay - A fast-paced showcase of cutting-edge ideas offering a dynamic glimpse into the breadth and brilliance of doctoral research across several disciplines.
- No-Bell Prize Competition - An entertaining contest featuring seven engaging presenters, each offering creative and thought-provoking takes on their research topics.
- Strategic Slide Slam - Bold and engaging presentations led by the Associate Pro-Vice Chancellors who each represented a key strategic theme.
- Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Grand Final - Nine exceptional finalists selected from 90 School-level entries competed to deliver the most compelling research pitch in just three minutes.
- Hybrid Poster Exhibition – A visual display of 84 research posters, accessible both in person and online.
- ‘Demystifying Dan’ – A special session where our Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Dan Parsons, shared candid reflections on his journey from PhD student to university leader.
In addition to the main programme, the Showcase featured a diverse range of interactive and visual experiences; from interactive research exhibition stands, researcher vlogs, and a hologram experience unveiling perspectives on trusted research partnerships and leadership, there was something for everyone.
Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, said: "The Doctoral College Summer Showcase was a powerful reminder of the depth, diversity, and vibrancy of our doctoral researcher community. From compelling Three Minute Thesis presentations to creative exhibitions and engaging conversations, the event captured the spirit of curiosity and collaboration that defines research and innovation at Loughborough. It was inspiring to see our researchers communicate their ideas with such clarity, passion, and purpose. My thanks to everyone who took part, and to the team who brought this outstanding event to life."
Dr Katryna Kalawsky, Programme Director, Researcher Development and Pathways, added: “The Summer Showcase was a fantastic celebration of our doctoral researchers, highlighting their creativity, commitment, and the vibrant community they’re part of. It provided a rare opportunity to share research across disciplines in imaginative and accessible ways, while also building confidence in communication, collaboration, and engagement. I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved and deeply grateful to everyone who contributed - it was a real labour of love and truly worthwhile. Events like this are essential in recognising the central role our researchers play in shaping Loughborough’s research capability and culture.”
The event was a success thanks to the scale of effort that went into planning the Summer Showcase. Over 220 individual planning actions were delivered in just 121 days, with many more ongoing to support the event’s legacy. A huge thank you to colleagues across Professional Services and academic Schools who helped with the event.
Feedback from the day
- 100% agreed that the event provided an inclusive environment to listen, engage, and learn
- 97% felt it offered valuable opportunities to share research and network
- 98% said they would recommend the event to a peer or colleague
“I gained so many ideas on how to disseminate my own research, from posters to short talks, to video vlogs. I would like to have a go over the coming months at all of these so that I can create a portfolio of my work and also learn to concisely talk about the work that I do. I also intend to action feedback I got from my own talk so that I can make my work clearer in future.”
“I enjoyed it and was challenged by it much more than I expected. It's a reminder of how much incredible research is happening and a great opportunity to network. It was a key bonding exercise where I met colleagues I would not encounter through 'work' in any other way, reinforcing the importance of taking part. Huge thanks – it was truly a fantastic event and I’ll treasure it.”
“The best thing about the event was the quality and relevance of the presentations. They were not only informative but also thought-provoking, encouraging critical thinking and offering practical ideas that I can apply in my teaching. It was a very enriching experience.”
“I feel more confident about sharing my research with others in engaging ways, not limited to conference talks and posters. I got to present my work in a couple of fun ways, and got good feedback, which was a big confidence boost.”
Relive the highlights
Attendees shared insights, celebrated achievements and amplified the impact of the day beyond the event on social media using the hashtag #LboroDCShowcase. To explore more, view photos, and revisit the highlights, visit the Summer Showcase event webpages.