Researcher Grand Prix: Is it your turn this year?

Are you a PhD student and want to learn more about communication and how to present your research? Researcher Grand Prix 2024 will award Agder's best research communicator.

"Getting to meet people with expertise in communication and learning theatre tricks to build your energy before a presentation was very rewarding and fun," says last year's winner of Researcher Grand Prix Agder, PhD Research Fellow Vibeke Salvesen from the Hospital of Southern Norway/University of Oslo.

"The same goes for meeting other researchers from completely different fields who understand the research process without understanding the content—it was very valuable in enhancing my own communication skills. I recommend all researchers to participate in Researcher Grand Prix if they have the opportunity!"

What is Researcher Grand Prix?

At Researcher Grand Prix, doctoral student in Norway take part in a competition on research communication. In Kristiansand, the Agder final will be held during the National Science Week on Wednesday 18 September. The winner can proudly call themselves Agder's best research communicator.

National final in Oslo

This year, the National Science Week marks its 30th anniversary, and to celebrate the Norwegian Research Council is reviving the national Researcher Grand Prix final. As a result, the top two candidates who receive the most votes in Agder will be selected to represent their region in the national final in Oslo on Saturday 28 September.

In the past, participants have also been invited to participate in other similar research shows. If possible, that may happen again this year.

PARTICIPANTS LAST YEAR: From right: Henriette Haaversen Hultmann, Andreas Røst, Anam Shakil Rai, Vegard Solhjem Knutsen, Eva-Grete Befus, Karl Audun Borgersen, host Kari Byklum, Vibeke Salvesen, Hilde Kristin Røsstad, Håvard Haugland Bamble. 

An excellent course in communication!

Would you like to meet and discuss research dissemination with doctoral students from other fields? Learn communication from professional communicators? Challenge yourself to stand on stage in front of an audience and TV cameras?

FULL HOUSE: Participants have undergone a four-month course in communicating scientific topics organised by the Division of Communication at UiA. Last year, Anam Shakil Rai from UiA's Department of Public Health and Nutrition took the stage, passionately sharing her research.

Researcher Grand Prix is an excellent opportunity for doctoral students to practice communication. Participants receive training on how to effectively communicate their research to a large audience.

Participants are assisted in creating two presentations on a self-selected topic related to their research. In four minutes, they must convince the audience and a panel of judges who the best communicator is. Everyone participates in the first round. The top four advance to the second round. Finally, two winners are announced. The show is hosted by a presenter.

Who can participate?

All PhD students at UiA University of Agder, NORCE research centre, the Hospital of Southern Norway, and Flødevigen Institute of Marine Research are invited to join, but PhD students working at companies in Agder can also participate.

A good Researcher Grand Prix participant has a strong desire to communicate their research and learn more about research dissemination!

To participate, you must write a short text of no more than 150 words that clearly describes what you are working on (approximately half an A4 page). Complete and submit the registration form by 1 May!

Training in research dissemination

It should be noted that those who participate commit to taking part in a training programme organised by the Divion of Communication at UiA in the spring and early autumn of 2023. The programme consists of four mandatory sessions in June and early autumn, as well as individual follow-up between sessions - and participation in the regional final. The regional sessions will be held on:

• 30 May, around 11:30-16:00 - first session
• 12-13 June - individual guidance for participants
• 22 August - second session
• 27 August - 1 September - period for individual guidance
• 4 September - third session
• 18 September - regional competition in Kristiansand
• 28 September - national final in Oslo

The Research Council and the annual festival National Science Week host the national final. In Agder, the University of Agder leads the training programme and organises the regional competition.

Questions?

Please contact Head of Information Jan Arve Olsen in the Division of Communication at UiA, email jan.a.olsen@uia.no.