UC Science

Congratulations to Faculty of Science postgraduate researchers Annalyse Welford and Janneke Swanepoel, who will represent the Faculty of Science at the University of Canterbury Research Student Showcase Finals on 19 August.

Following impressive presentations at this week's Faculty of Science Thesis-in-Three (3MT®) competition, Annalyse Welford was named this year's winner and Janneke Swanepoel runner-up. Both students are from the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing.

The 3MT competition challenges doctoral researchers to explain their research and its significance in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience. The event showcased not only the quality of research being undertaken across the Faculty of Science, but also the communication skills of our postgraduate students.

We would also like to acknowledge the supervisors, postgraduate coordinators, judges and organisers whose support helps students succeed and share their research with confidence.

The UC Research Student Showcase also includes the Exhibit Your Thesis and Thesis Film Festival competitions. We encourage our community to explore the entries and support our postgraduate researchers.

Learn more and register to attend the finals:
https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/regular-events/research-student-showcase

On this Thursday!

🏔️ A century of science at Cass

For more than 100 years, UC staff and students have been studying the remarkable environment around the Cass field station — building long-term records, making new discoveries and learning through hands-on fieldwork.

At this free Selwyn Libraries event, UC researchers Professor Dave Kelly, PhD student Jane Gosden and Professor Angus McIntosh will share what Cass has taught us about climate, moths, wetland plants, fish and wētā, as well as why place-based teaching and research remain so valuable today.

Jane will also reflect on her experiences at Cass as a student, PhD researcher and field botany teacher, while Professor McIntosh will explore what decades of data can tell us about the future.
The event will showcase both UC’s research expertise and the unique environment that continues to support student learning and fieldwork.

📅 Thursday 23 July
🕡 6.30pm–8pm
📍 Te Ara Ātea, 56 Tennyson Street, Rolleston
🎟️ Free | Ages 16+
📌 Bookings required: https://tockify.com/selwynlibraries/detail/3535/1784788200000?search=cass

UC Science Selwyn Libraries

Why was John Lennon in bed with a Dutch bike?

Join us for a public talk on Thursday 23 July at 6pm with Marco te Brömmelstroet as he explores how more than a century of prioritising efficiency has shaped our streets and mobility systems, often at the expense of liveability.

Marco will examine how the way we think about movement influences many of the societal challenges we face today, and why creating streets for people requires us to challenge the assumptions that underpin our transport systems.

"Why was John Lennon in bed with a Dutch bike? A public talk about transforming streets for people"

Register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/transforming-streets-for-peoplepublic-talk-by-prof-marco-te-brommelstroet-tickets-1992096263550

Join Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s first professional astronaut and the 2026 Australian of the Year, as she shares her remarkable journey from childhood dream to spaceflight training. In this talk, hosted by the Geospatial Research Institute (GRI), Katherine will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, opportunities and future of the rapidly growing space sector, as well as insights into Australia and New Zealand’s place in the global space industry.

Whether you're a student, science enthusiast, aspiring engineer or simply curious about the future of space exploration, this is a unique opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices shaping the future of space.

📅 25 June 2026, 1:30pm - 3pm
📍 University of Canterbury (and online)

Register your attendance on Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/katherinebennell-pegg

Congratulations to our graduates!! 🎓🎉 The parade for all who are graduating this week commences today at 10am, starting at Hack Circle (outside H&M in Cashel Mall) and ending at the Town Hall. Come along to cheer them on if you’re in the neighbourhood!