Images of research

Last week, over 200 people filled the Hadyn Ellis Building exhibition area for the University Graduate College 'Images of Research' Celebration Event. The event marked the relocation of the University Graduate College to the new building – a move which has allowed it to enhance and improve its provision for postgraduate research students. Attendees had the chance to explore the new building and view an exhibition of 53 stunning images of research submitted by PhD students from across the University.

Speeches were given by Professor Terry Marsden (Dean of the University Graduate College), Professor Mick Fuller (Chair of UK Council for Graduate Education), Professor Teresa Rees (Leadership Foundation for Higher Education), Alicia Stark and IJ Benneyworth (PhD students). Professor Mick Fuller praised the University Graduate College for leading the UK in terms of the training and facilities available to the postgraduate research community, and urged students to appreciate and use the opportunities available to them.

After the welcome speeches, guests were treated to a performance by a string duet from the School of Music, and enjoyed refreshments whilst viewing and voting for their favourite image. The 'People's Choice' image was 'Dancing Molecules' by Iuni M L Trist from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. A panel of judges also awarded a prize which went to Jennifer Stockdale from the School of Biosciences for her image 'Hungry for More: Feed Me!' Both winners received a £200 cash prize. These winning images plus a further eight 'highly commended' images will be on display in the Hadyn Ellis Building exhibition area until the end of January 2014.

Professor Ken Wann, Deputy Dean of the University Graduate College, said: "Positioning the University Graduate College alongside Research Institutes within the Hadyn Ellis Building creates a hub with increased opportunities to provide interdisciplinary activities and events for all researchers. This event was a chance to celebrate not only our move to a superb new location, but also the impressive breadth and quality of the research activity undertaken by our postgraduate students."

A gallery of the exhibition images is available on the University Graduate College's Facebook page