On 3 December 2025, SUPERLab supported “Enhancing Research Culture through a Team-Based Artistic Presentation Competition”, a one-day event funded by Heriot-Watt’s Research Culture Enhancement Fund. The event brought together 25 participants, including academic staff, PhD students, Research Assistants and Associates, Master’s students, and Professional Services colleagues, to explore creative approaches to communicating research and professional practice.
Storytelling, Theatre and Team Creativity
Participants took part in an interactive storytelling workshop led by Lisa Wilson, a specialist in science communication and theatre. Working in small, interdisciplinary teams, they developed short artistic presentations of their research and professional work, drawing on formats including theatre, poetry, music, and visual storytelling.
The day concluded with a showcase competition, in which teams performed their pieces to the wider group.
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Outcomes
The event strengthened collaboration and collegiality across disciplines and career stages, and helped participants build confidence in communicating their work to non-specialist audiences.
Three participant projects were selected for further development, each proposing creative engagement activities aimed at reaching audiences who are often underrepresented in research and cultural life, including migrants, refugees, and people with disabilities.
About the Research Culture Enhancement Fund
The event was funded through Heriot-Watt University’s Research Culture Enhancement Fund, which supports activities that strengthen collaboration, inclusivity, and creativity within the University’s research community.
SUPERLab and the project team will support the implementation of the three selected projects over the coming months, translating the storytelling techniques developed on the day into future public engagement and scientific dissemination activities.