No Bell Prize Competition

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

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

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

If the panel detect any such words, they will ring a bell! The winner is the entrant that receives 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 challenges you to turn your deep and narrow expertise into something accessible for all. 

All NBP finalists will receive a certificate of participation and a great learning experience. The winner will receive £150 There will also be ‘Runner-up’ and ‘People’s Choice’ prizes. 

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 are:

  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. Muhammad Umer Jadoon - 'Low carbon concrete' (Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering)
  12. Maria del Pilar Bolumburu-Perez -'How can we work together to drive innovative biodesign?' (Design and Creative Arts) 

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