Great learning experiences for students at mountain retreat

Fourty-one PhD and Masters students from the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities learnt new communication and networking skills at their annual retreat in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges last week.

CRCWSC CEO Tony Wong opened proceedings with a look at the history of the CRCWSC and the inherent value of research into water sensitive cities.

Presenters from Econnect Communication took attendees through the basics of science communication and ran sessions on presenting to different audiences, pitching their research and presenting scientific posters. Students were filmed presenting their 30-second pitches and poster discussions and worked to refine the content and delivery with expert input.

On the second day, Dr Andre Taylor and Chris Chesterfield discussed the benefits of networking and mentoring at informal and formal levels.

PhD candidate Elisabet Andres Garcia said of the workshops: ”The elevator pitch was a great way to learn how to explain your project very easily to someone who doesn’t know much about your idea, focusing on the parts that not only are important in terms of the aim of your project but also something that engages the public.”

Another student, Paul Satur, said: “A real highlight of the Phd Workshop was experiencing the passion in the room. Above all the workshop offered a fantastic opportunity for the development of new tools and skill sets that will equip us to become influential and inspiring leaders in our respective fields and champions of the CRCWSC for years to come. I certainly walked away from the two days feeling reinvigorated in purpose, refreshed and inspired.”

Several students will be putting their new-found talents into practice at the upcoming Water Sensitive Cities Conference in Brisbane in September.