How many times have you explained your research to someone not in your field? Had to simplify complex concepts and paradigms? Do you enjoy it?
This year the MCR is introducing a new opportunity for students to write about their work for a general audience, in the form of an research journal called Ex Aula: Research from the Hall (Latin for “of the Hall”). Informal articles discussing the research of graduates will be posted regularly, and the best submission will be rewarded with a monetary prize.
The aims of this initiative are to encourage inter-faculty communication, promote MCR/Teddy Hall graduate research and to provide graduate students with the opportunity to expand their writing/editing skill-set away from thesis, dissertation and manuscript preparation. The MCR’s online journal, Ex Aula, will provide a platform for students to present their work to the outside world.
Whether your research focuses on 12th century history, socio-economic policies or neurobiology, this is your chance to have fun with your writing.
Articles should aim to answer one of or a combination of the following questions – Why is my research important? What does my research project contribute to the field? Why is my work/field relevant to the general public? – in a short 800-word laymen’s terms essay.
The project will be launched in Michaelmas term with a call for articles, but we encourage early submissions this summer. If you are interested to contribute an article or would like further details, contact Timothy Donnison (timothy.donnison@seh.ox.ac.uk) and Trent Taylor (trent.taylor@seh.ox.ac.uk), St Edmund Hall.