A successful presentation at Parliament this week by the University of Otago's O-Zone research group was a "really big step forward" for the group, its convener, Dr Jacob Edmond, of the English department, said.
Founded in 2007, the group of leading young and mid-career academics aims to raise community awareness of research in a wide range of fields, including humanities and social sciences as well as in medical and other scientific work.
The group also highlights the need for adequate funding support.
Six researchers, Dr Christine Jasoni, Dr Julia Horsfield, Dr Mikkel Andersen, Dr Simone Marshall, Dr Alexander McLellan and Dr Sarah Young gave talks and a tourism-related research poster was offered by Dr Anna Thompson.
Topics ranged from "maternal effects on childhood obesity" to "manipulating atoms with light".
Dr Simone Marshall, of the English department, discussed links between manuscript pages and internet pages, and Dr Alexander McLellan, of microbiology and immunology, described a non-invasive test for kidney transplant rejection.
Dr Edmond said the event had again highlighted Otago University's nationally leading role in research.
