The two-day event will showcase work from honours, postgraduate and post-doctorate researchers in a wide range of disciplines from Science and Technology through to Business and Psychology.

Vice chancellor Annabelle Duncan will deliver the keynote speech on professional opportunities for graduate researchers.

And Olympic gold medallist, beach volleyballer Kerri Pottharst, will also give a presentation.

During the conference, PhD students Dean Woods and Leah Macdonald will present their research into carbene chemistry, and the compounds in wine and effects on aroma respectively.

Both speakers said the postgraduate conference provided a good platform for presenters to learn how to communicate their research to the wider public.

“There will also be special sessions run that aim to provide useful information to students such as how to effectively network at a conference and how to write professional papers,” Ms Macdonald said.

The UNE Student Association was supporting the conference and president Dale Finch said it was a great opportunity for the university to strengthen links with the community and for the region in a showcase UNE’s higher degree research.

“This being particularly important in a time where there is currently a significant push from the government to boost innovation and research in the Australian economy,” Mr Finch said.

“We look forward to continuing to support this event in many years to come.”

The event is on January 17 and 18 from 8:30am in the UNE Resource Management Building.  Students, staff and members of the public are encouraged to attend.

For further information visit: http://www.une.edu.au/research/hdr/postgraduate-conference