Elsewhere on Ulster
Held on 5 and 6 June in Derry~Londonderry, the Festival celebrated PhD research success
Ulster University's Derry~Londonderry campus was the venue for this year’s Festival of PhD Research, held on 4 and 5 June 2025.
The event brought together PhD Researchers from across all campuses for a significant showcase of research excellence and innovation within the University’s doctoral community.
The Festival commenced with a thought-provoking keynote address delivered by Dr Adrian Johnston MBE, Innovation Commissioner at Innovation City Belfast. Dr Johnston provided strategic insights into the future of innovation and the pivotal role that research plays in driving economic and societal progress in Northern Ireland.
The two-day programme featured a broad range of activities designed to reflect the diversity and impact of doctoral research at Ulster University. These included oral and poster presentations, practice-based exhibitions, and engagement with academic and professional services staff.
The programme provided researchers with a valuable platform to communicate their work, receive feedback and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
Among the highlights were two popular competitions which returned for 2025:
In addition, attendees had the opportunity to engage with exhibitors and take part in networking and social events, helping to strengthen connections within Ulster’s vibrant research community.
Lisa Thompson, from the Doctoral College, commented:
“The Festival of PhD Research is a cornerstone of our research culture at Ulster. It highlights not only the intellectual rigour of our doctoral research, but also the creativity and societal relevance of the work being undertaken by our PhD community.”
