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News and opportunities
Record attendance at BILT’s Student Research Conference 2026
Last Wednesday saw BILT’s Student Research Conference (formerly the Student Research Festival) take place in The Bill Brown Suite, with a record number of students attending and presenting from across the University, along with senior academics and other staff.
Image: a copy of the programme.
Following a welcome address from Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Education Innovation and Enhancement, Alvin Birdi, the afternoon began with a panel discussion on how to get into research, with some useful information and tips for the audience of largely under-graduate students.
After a short break, we split the conference into three parallel presentation sessions, one per faculty, giving chance for students to present their research to their peers and staff members in attendance. There were also a number of poster presentations in the atrium area. All attendees were asked to vote for their favourite poster and our panel of academics judged the presentations. The winners will receive cash prizes:
Best presentation winners:
- Science and Engineering: Luka Kadrikj
- Arts, Social Sciences and Law: Thadora Gallie
- Health and Life Sciences: Jo Cochrane
- Best poster: Natasha Davis
The conference closed with an opportunity to network at our drinks and canapés reception in the atrium, while an optional ‘Ask the editors’ and Research clinic took place for those interested in submitting their written research to this year’s journal.
The BILT team would like to thank everyone who participated to make this such a fantastic conference, and huge congratulations to Emma Segal and Megan Stannett for organising the event.
Temple Quarter mock-up is back
You may remember we held an event in September, last year designed to replicate the conditions of teaching in the round, for those colleagues who will be moving to Temple Quarter later this year. We’re repeating this event to give more colleagues a chance to experience this new exciting method of teaching.
Image from September’s event in the Great Hall
The event takes place on Monday 20 April in the Reception Room, Wills Memorial Building.
Following an introduction, Mark France, Department of Theatre will outline what such a space affords and some top tips for staff using it. The one-hour event will conclude with a Q and A session.
We’ll then hold a Teaching in the Round drop-in – come and see for yourself what the new space might look and feel like.
Finally, there will be three one-hour active sessions where colleagues will have an opportunity to try out the space and get some feedback from Mark and the group. These three sessions will be limited to 8 people per session, so book now to avoid disappointment.
Reminder: BILT Conference 2026: call for contributions closes on Sunday
We’ll be closing our call for contributions for this year’s BILT Conference at midnight on Sunday 1 March. If you’d like to be involved but haven’t yet submitted your proposal(s), please visit the event page, where you will find a link to submit your EOI.
Image: this year’s conference logo.
Reminder: BILT Impact Survey
Also closing this weekend, is the BILT impact survey. We would be grateful if you could spend a few minutes reflecting on and providing feedback on your experience at BILT events and/or using BILT Blog, including anything you need moving forward to support you further in your teaching and learning role – (closes 2 March 2026).
Complete the Impact Survey here.
Prize draw: From submitted responses, 5 will be selected at random to receive a £10 Source voucher.
We would also be hugely grateful for readers to complete this very short survey on impact of the blog on their practice!
Blogs and resources
- You are not your grade: recognising and validating emotions when engaging with feedback
Anthonia Daikpor shares her experiences and reflections of leading a workshop on emotions and feedback engagement. - Developing Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Courses
We’ve added a new guide to our SharePoint site for staff interested in designing and delivering Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) courses, compiled by Neil Lambert.
Events
Visit the BILT events calendar for a full list of all our forthcoming events
18 March @ 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm, Life Sciences Room G13
This collaboration between BILT and DEO will illustrate more of the opportunities to enhance feedback experiences for all.
There are two separate events following on from each other in the same venue:
1 pm – 2 pm Presentation: FeedbackFruits: integrating digital activities into feedback practices
2.15 – 3.30 pm Workshop: FeedbackFruits
Please note: You will need to book on to each event separately. Full details can be found on this page.
Developing a pedagogic research proposal [in-person]
31 March @ 10:00 am – 12.00 pm, Room 1.20, 35 Berkeley Square
Bookings for the in-person workshop “Developing a Pedagogic Research Project” on March 31st 2026 are now open! As a continuation of the introductory course, during this workshop you will be able to draft or refine your own Pedagogic Research project proposal. Completion of the introductory course before the workshop is therefore required. Check out the workshop’s booking website for further details and for signing up!
The course “Developing Your Research Skills“, which follows on from and complements the introductory course is also now available on Develop! The purpose of this course is to provide you with further skills that will support you in carrying out your own pedagogical research.
Full details can be found on this page.
TQ Teaching in the round: mock-up and try it out [in-person]
20 April @ 10:00 am – 4.30 pm, Reception Room, Wills Memorial Building
Temple Quarter’s lecture theatre “in the round”, seating over 300 and only 6 rows deep, aims to breaks down hierarchical barriers between lecturers and students, enabling interaction, maintaining students’ focus, and encouraging richer engagement than conventional tiered lecture halls. Come along to a session to try out presenting and moving in the space (this session will be a mocked up space without technology).
Three sessions to choose from throughout the afternoon (limited to 8 people per session).
Full details can be found on this page.
Voice and Presence: skills for active and inclusive teaching [in-person]
Choose from two dates: 22 April and 9 June
Following some hugely popular workshops in January and February, The Bristol Improv Theatre are back to repeat their Voice and Presence workshop, in April and June. They will explore tools from acting and public speaking to help practice engaging listeners. This includes practical techniques to train and strengthen your speaking voice, projection, warming-up, body language and using authenticity to tap into your inner charisma. Please note, these workshops are open to all but in the unlikely event they reach capacity, priority will be given to anyone teaching at TQEC.
Full details can be found on this page.
Show, Tell and Talk: Inclusive Assessment [in-person]
29 April @ 1:30 pm – 3.00 pm, Room 1.06, Queens Building
This sharing innovations workshop will provide an opportunity to hear from a range of colleagues about how inclusive assessment is being embedded at UoB, why it is important and what Inclusive Assessment projects, supported by BILT, are being undertaken at the University. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion with colleagues.
Full details can be found on this page.
The BILT Briefing is published and distributed fortnightly by The Bristol Institute of Learning and Teaching (BILT). If you no longer wish to receive a copy of The Briefing, please send an email to bilt-info@bristol.ac.uk from the address you are registered with, containing the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the title line.
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