Engaging with the Research Community
HDR in SABEL is more than an individual research project. It is also an opportunity to become part of a vibrant and supportive research community, engage with others across disciplines, and build the skills, networks, and experience that will support your future career.
This page highlights some of the ways you can connect and make the most of your time as an HDR candidate in SABEL.
Presenting your research is a core part of HDR candidature and an important way to refine your ideas, build confidence and communication skills, develop your academic profile, and engage with academic and professional audiences.
All HDR candidates are expected to present their work at least once per year at an appropriate research-related event. This may include seminars, conferences, workshops, or research forums organised by your School, the Faculty, Institutes, or the Graduate Research School.
Regular presentation allows you to refine your research through feedback and prepare for examination and future dissemination of your work.
SABEL brings together researchers across the social sciences, arts and humanities, business, education, and law. This breadth creates opportunities for candidates to engage with a wide range of ideas and perspectives, and to situate their own work within a broader intellectual community.
Engaging with this diverse and interdisciplinary community - not only through events, but also through discussions and collaborative opportunities - can strengthen both your research and your overall HDR experience.
The SABEL HDR Conference is a key Faculty initiative that provides HDR candidates with the opportunity to present their research, receive feedback, and connect with peers across the Faculty.
Participation in the conference contributes to meeting the expectation of regular research presentation during candidature. It also supports the development of presentation and communication skills, fosters collegiality and cross-School exchange, and strengthens your sense of belonging to a wider research community.
The conference is valuable at all stages of candidature, whether you are testing early ideas, presenting findings, or reflecting on your completed project.
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The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an international competition that challenges HDR candidates to present their research in just three minutes, using a single slide.
At Western, the competition begins with Faculty-level qualifying rounds. The 2026 SABEL round will be held on Tuesday 30 June, with two finalists selected to represent the Faculty at the University final on 27 August.
3MT is a great way to build confidence and learn how to explain your research clearly and engagingly to a non-specialist audience. It’s also a chance to connect with other HDR candidates and be part of a wider research community.
Preparation workshops and coaching sessions are available to help you get started. The SABEL HDR team will share details via email, so it’s important to keep an eye on your inbox for updates.
Candidates are encouraged to take part in workshops, seminars, symposia, and other development opportunities offered across the School, Faculty, and University.
The most relevant opportunities are typically organised at the School level. You should regularly check your School’s webpages for information about upcoming events, and keep an eye on communications from your School’s Director, HDR and Honours, who will circulate relevant opportunities.
Engaging in these activities can help you stay connected to current research, receive valuable feedback on your work, strengthen your communication skills, and maintain momentum in your work.
HDR study can open a range of future pathways, both within and beyond academia. Alongside developing advanced research skills, candidature also provides opportunities to strengthen broader professional capabilities, including communication, project management, collaboration, and leadership.
Candidates are encouraged to think about how they can use their time in HDR to prepare for the next stage of their career, whether that involves academic research, teaching, industry, policy, creative practice, or another professional pathway.
You do not need to do everything at once, and opportunities will be more relevant at different stages of candidature. What matters most is engaging in ways that support your research and development. This includes planning when and where you will present your work each year, in consultation with your supervisor(s) and School.
If you are unsure what opportunities may be most useful for you, speak with your supervisory panel, School Research and HDR Officer, or Director, HDR and Honours.