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SPARC 2012

SPARC is a large, inclusive conference showcasing contemporary postgraduate research from a broad range of disciplines.

The 12th SPARC was held on the 30 and 31 May 2012. It was attended by over 200 postgraduate researchers and staff from Salford as well as other Universities in the region and beyond, including Chester, Lancaster, Bolton, Manchester, MMU, LJMU, Keele, York and Edinburgh.

A total of 26 parallel sessions showcased the latest postgraduate research in an impressive range of subject areas, from Art, Social Sciences and Business, through to Engineering, Computing, Built Environment and Health Sciences.

Several students also presented their work in the form of five minute high impact speed presentations  and through poster presentations.

The conference was opened by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall. Prof Carol Haigh (MMU) delivered an engaging keynote speech on the nature of postgraduate research in the twenty first century, covering the processes and opportunities for today’s scholars, and the value of having an academic digital identity.

SPARC also hosted a variety of workshops dealing with practical aspects of the postgraduate research journey and beyond – from getting published through to launching a career. A panel discussion on the Viva proved popular with delegates: Prof Philip James, Prof Tony Warne and Prof Sunil Vadera elaborated on what it is that examiners are really looking for in the PhD assessment.

The conference dinner was held in the People’s History Museum. Felicity Goodey, a member of the University Council, provided an inspiring after-dinner talk about the history of urban regeneration in Salford, and how her experience as a BBC journalist in the 1970s inspired a life long passion and an active involvement in North West regeneration projects.

PVC (R &I) Prof Jim Yip closed proceedings on day two and awarded a number of prizes to presenters. See the full list of prize winners.