No Bell Prize Competition

New to the Summer Showcase this year was the 'No-Bell' Prize Competition! This can be thought of as a 3MT庐-lite competition, with more relaxed rules and designed to entertain and/or grip a public audience.聽

Doctoral researchers were encouraged to deliver presentations that include descriptions of a research barrier that needed to be overcome (successfully or otherwise). It could be as big or as small a part of their research  – anything from an experimental process, experience or outcome.

The NBP was a reimagining of a competition first observed at the Melbourne Neuroscience Institute. Entrants had 2 minutes and 59 seconds in which to tell the audience about an element of their research. Their story had to contain no jargon or complicated terms that would not be understood by the majority of disengaged 10 year olds.  

If the panel detected any such words, they rang a bell! The winner was the entrant that received the fewest bells. Getting no bells is a great achievement. 

Doctoral researchers spend three years becoming experts in something that perhaps only 100 people in the world totally understand; when applying for grants and engaging with stakeholders, you might have to convey your grand ideas to people who have literally no idea what you are talking about. The NBP challenged them to turn their deep and narrow expertise into something accessible for all. 

All NBP鈥痜inalists received a certificate of participation and a great learning experience. The winner received £150 and there was a ‘Runner-up’ and ‘People’s Choice’ prize. 

Competition Rules: 

  • PowerPoint or other digital presentation media are not permitted, but physical props are allowed, including flipcharts. You must supply all props and have them risk-approved in advance. 
  • Electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are not permitted. 
  • Song, dance, rap, poetry, mime, or other artistic interpretations are allowed. 
  • Presentations are limited to 2 minutes and 59 seconds. Competitors exceeding 3 minutes will be encouraged to wrap up as quickly as possible. 
  • Teams of up to 3 DRs are allowed – perhaps linked by lab, topic, or methodology. Cross-school teams are particularly encouraged. 
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.   

Judging rules: 

  • Primary criterion: Accessible and Inclusive Explanation: Would the message conveyed be accessible to what we might think of as ‘the general public’? Think 10-year-old with standard schooling. Would it be inclusive for people with differences expecting an audio-visual presentation?  
  • Secondary criterion: Was it Engaging, Enthusiastic and Entertaining*? 
  • Ties will be decided on the basis of which presentation has the most Engaging, Enthusiastic, & Entertaining Explanation. 

*Not all topics lend themselves to being ‘entertaining’ so this definition includes intriguing, compelling, and riveting.

This year's No-Bell Prize participants were:

  1. Hengshuo Zhang - 'Computer simulation of ankle fusion surgery' (Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering) 
  2. Qian Qian - 'Simplified Tai Chi for stronger ankles' (Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences) 
  3. Esther Mgbemeje - 'Pint 24: dream, vision and reality' (Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering)
  4. Piyushaa Emrith Jankee - 'Literature Review: Intimidating...But It'll be Fine' (Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering)
  5. Rameesh Lakshan Bulathsinghala - 'Clothing that produces electricity to monitor your health' (Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering) 
  6. Amitkumar Patel - 'Ubiquitous Connectivity: The Future of Smart Signal Management' (Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering) 
  7. Maddison Onions - 'So many meanings!' (Social Sciences and Humanities)
  8. Abigail Egwunyenga - 'Technological Advancement in the new era of West African Interior Textiles' (Design and Creative Arts) 
  9. Ridzuan A-Rasid - 'Somebody (doctoral researcher), that I used to know' (Design and Creative Arts) 
  10. Omeiza Haruna - 'Animating Absence Auto-Ethnographically' (Design and Creative Arts)
  11. Maria del Pilar Bolumburu-Perez -'How can we work together to drive innovative biodesign?' (Design and Creative Arts) 

Those who won prizes are as follows:

  • Winner = Rameesh Lakshan Bulathsinghala
  • Runner-Up = Qian Qian
  • People's Choice = Rameesh Lakshan Bulathsinghala

If you have any questions regarding this competition, please contact Dr Roger Newport.