“One of my favourite events of the year”: WRE 2023 inspires and informs

Organisers at the Wolfson Research Event 2023

WRE is an annual showcase of Wolfson student research, and as ever it brought together students, staff, Fellows, alumni, and others from beyond the Wolfson community to hear oral and poster presentations on topics that ranged from Russian state-controlled media, chronic wound repair, OCD treatment, and mental illness and the menopause.

The reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Wolfson President Professor Jane Clarke, who opened the event with a rallying cry for diversity in research, confirmed that this was one of her favourite events of the year. And on social media, Fellows, students, and guests raved about the range of inspiring talks on offer this year.

An event born from “unique skills and perspectives”

As ever, the annual event was the hard work of a WRE committee, which this year was chaired by PhD candidate in Education, Konstantinos Tsigaridis.

“The Wolfson Research Event is an intellectual feast,” he says. “Each year, it's a unique opportunity to broaden your horizons, delve into a variety of research topics, and engage with some of the brightest minds across different disciplines.”

Konstantinos is quick to pay tribute to his colleagues on the committee who helped to make the event such a success.

“Each member of the committee brought their unique skills and perspectives to the table,” he says, “contributing significantly to the richness and diversity of the event. The experience underscored the power of collaboration in achieving extraordinary outcomes. I am truly grateful to have worked alongside such a committed and dynamic team.”

The majority of the speakers came from outside the UK: a reflection of a college in which students represent over 90 countries in total.

“The diversity of the speakers, both in terms of background and subject matter, truly epitomizes the multicultural and interdisciplinary spirit of Wolfson,” says Konstantinos. “This rich tapestry of ideas and perspectives creates a vibrant research environment that encourages intellectual growth and collaborative breakthroughs.”

Unconventional paths

Wolfson is a college for mature and postgraduate students, many of whom have not had the conventional journey into higher education. Many of the speakers have had such unconventional journeys, and indeed so has Konstantinos himself.

“For 15 years, I've been teaching physics to secondary school students, preparing them for the Greek National exams,” he says. “This is my first experience living and studying outside of Greece.

Konstantinos’s academic journey began in Greece where he earned a BSc in Physics and a Masters degree in Education from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

“When I decided to further my studies, I was 37 with two children (I now have three). I chose Wolfson because I needed a college that understood the unique needs of mature students.”

And as it turned out, it was the Wolfson Research Event that helped his transition into UK academic and social life.

“As a third-year PhD student, my first two years were completed remotely due to the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and the demands of data collection. My first physical encounter with Cambridge was during the Wolfson Research Event in 2022 where I had the opportunity to present a poster.

“The event left a profound impression on me and I was taken by its unique character and the vibrant exchange of ideas that took place. It was this experience that motivated me to seize the opportunity to chair the event when it was presented to me.

“Beyond the academic allure, I saw it as a chance to immerse myself more deeply in the life of the college, experience its rich traditions and establish connections with fellow students and college members.”