University of Canberra: UC’s inaugural HDR Bazaar to showcase research

Hosted by the University of Canberra’s Graduate Research Office, the HDR Bazaar will be a free two-day event for researchers and HDR candidates to learn and engage through a series of presentations, information sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

To be held on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 November inside UC Hub (behind Mizzuna Café), the inaugural HDR Bazaar will focus on three themes: safety in research, building community, and innovation and change.

The three broad themes are essential to research itself, and how the University conducts its research.

‘Safety in Research’ encompasses everything from research ethics through to relationships, as well as safe research practices.

The scope of the ‘Building Community’ theme allows for how research outputs and recommendations can benefit communities, and how researchers connect with and support each other in their research community, and engage with industry.

While all doctoral-level research connects with the concept of ‘Innovation and Change’, presentations and sessions in this theme emphasise new ways of solving problems and challenges, and opportunities in interdisciplinary research.



The Bazaar was established to provide a supportive place for HDR candidates to share their research, hear insights from other researchers, and build connections.

“It’s a great opportunity for our HDR candidates to hear from fellow candidates about their diverse research projects through presentations and posters,” said Distinguished Professor Jen Webb, Dean of Graduate Research.

“I’m so excited that we’ll be able to come together in person, as a research community, to share knowledge, insights, and experiences, and to build new connections.”

“We are thrilled to offer an event that connects our HDR candidates and Honours students with university and industry mentors, helps build essential skills for them to communicate their research to others, and offers a collaborative space for researchers,” added Stella Vasiliadis, Associate Director, Graduate Research.

“Our HDR candidates were part of the organising committee which developed the themes. So, the HDR Bazaar has been designed with our candidates to address the questions and challenges that they’re facing in their research journey,” said Dr Fern Hyde, Researcher Development Specialist.

All academic staff are welcome to attend to learn more about the research being undertaken at the University and connect with researchers.

The event is free to attend, with additional activities including a networking reception on the Thursday evening and on the Friday, there will be a yoga session in the morning and a mentoring lunch.

Highlights of the event include a panel discussion about respectful relationships facilitated by Tim Bavinton (Executive Director, Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT) and a keynote address by Associate Professor Ben Wilson (Faculty of Education), 2022 Canberra and District NAIDOC Scholar of the Year, on storytelling in research. Dr Craig Davis, General Manager, Growths Program from Canberra Innovation Network, will be one of many professionals attending the mentoring lunch.

There will also be a Market Hall on the Friday where participants can meet other HDR candidates, access campus support services, learn more about industry engagement opportunities like our PhD Plus Internship program and the PhD Plus Mentoring program, and meet industry employment partners such as Canberra Innovation Network and CSIRO.

“The HDR Bazaar is a great initiative. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to showcase the amazing research being undertaken by UC HDR candidates across a wide range of topics and methodologies,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, Professor Lucy Johnston.

“I encourage everybody to come along, take part, meet new people and join in the Lawn games!”

Other events and workshops organised by the Graduate Research Office include UC’s Big Research Pitch, and the Three Minute Thesis competition, as well as the HDR Wellbeing program, researcher workshops and networking opportunities. Explore the UC Researcher Development (ReD) workshops calendar on the University’s website to discover more events.