Sustainability seminar series

PhD candidates whose research aligns with the SDGs are encouraged to showcase their work to foster discussions and build connections.

The Sustainability Team and the Faculty of Graduate Research are pleased to host the Sustainability Seminar Series where PhD candidates from across the University can present their sustainability-focused research. Join us in fostering meaningful discussions, sharing insights, and building connections that drive collective progress towards a sustainable future. PhD candidates whose research aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can use this opportunity to showcase their work, network and get feedback on their research.

A clear relation/s to the SDGs will help us decide which applications are accepted for presentation. Presentations will be 15 minutes long with 10 minutes at the end for Q & A and will be held bi-monthly.  There will be two separate presenters at each session as per the structure below. Presentations will be recorded and uploaded to the University’s website. Each presenter will be awarded a 50-dollar Prezzy Card on completion of their presentation.

Session dates for 2025

Day	Time	Location	Application deadline
Tuesday 8 April	12.30–1.45 pm	TBC & online	Monday 17 February
Tuesday 3 June	12.30 –1.45 pm	TBC & online	Monday 14 April
Tuesday 5 August	12.30–1.45 pm	TBC & online	Monday 10 June
Tuesday 7 October	12.30–1.45 pm	TBC & online	Monday 11 August

Session structure

Item	Time
Introduction and welcome	5 mins
1st Presentation	15 mins
Q&A	10 mins
2nd Presentation	15 mins
Q&A	10 mins
Closing remarks	5 mins

Application process

All presentation applications must be submitted to the Sustainability Team by completing the Sustainability Seminar Series Presentation Application Form.  Please email the Sustainability Team to let us know once you complete and submit the form. In the form, the researcher must highlight which SDG/s their research engages with and how their work is linked to sustainability. Check the application deadline in the table above to ensure you apply in time for your desired session. The Sustainability Team reserves the right to make a final decision on presenter choice based on the research’s perceived alignment with sustainability and the SDGs.

Presentation minimum requirements

A presentation should include the key components outlined below:

1. It should be formal and include a PowerPoint comprising at least four slides.
2. The presenter should be willing to consider and respond to questions at the end of their presentation.
3. Through their presentation, the presenter should make a clear link between their research, sustainability, and the particular SDG/s that their research pertains to.
4. Presenters should accept that their presentations will be recorded and uploaded on to the University website for future reference.

Please email the Sustainability Team if you have any questions regarding presenting for the Sustainability Seminar Series.

Watch past presentations from the Sustainability Seminar Series

23 October 2024—Bevan Richard Connell
Bevan Richard Connell—Sustaining Safe Spaces: Integrating Bullying Prevention into the Framework of School Sustainability

17 September 2024—Xiaohan Christal Guo and Thidaporn Jumpakate
Xiaohan Christal Guo—Learners’ Motivations and Expectations in Undertaking Interpreter Training in NZ Context and Their Perceived Learning Challenges
Thidaporn Jumpakate—How do tertiary lecturers and multilingual students manage various discourses within Thai English Medium Instruction (EMI) Engineering courses?

16 July 2024—Zuhaib Tayar Mirza and Fernando Solís Fernández
Zuhaib Tayar Mirza—Renewable Energy Development and Sustainability
Fernando Solís Fernández—Optical Sensing in Tokamak Fusion Reactors

14 May 2024—Asmae Rashidi Mohammadi and Cansu Inal Kaynar
Asmae Rashidi Mohammadi—Timber's 'Unsustainable' Life Cycle (First half)
Cansu Inal Kaynar—Adaptive Reuse and Sustainability of Heritage Buildings