Student research celebrated on campus

The LU Postgraduate Conference, held from 12-4pm on 1-3 November, offered an excellent opportunity for the students to showcase their work in front of an audience. Some attended in person, while others gave presentations via Zoom.

Attendees also had the chance to hear from keynote speakers and network with other student researchers to promote interdisciplinary collaboration.

The conference was fronted by Lincoln University Research Committee Chair Alan Renwick and LUSA Research Postgraduate Representative Findal Probst, with Findal presenting a discussion paper on the comparison between regenerative agriculture and other forms of agriculture.

On 3 November, Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce McKenzie presented the students with certificates of participation and gave awards for the best presentations.

Caitlin Hyde won Best Contributed Paper, Emiliano Rinaldo Veronesi and David Pedley were tied for first place for Best Discussion Paper, and Supaporn Supaponlakit won Best Poster Discussion.

Caitlin’s research focused on edible insects and explored how insects were being consumed across different locations in Aotearoa New Zealand, in response to growing environmental concerns and security pressures.

David Pedley’s work centred on the need to establish permanent indigenous forest throughout the world to mitigate climate change and enhance declining biodiversity. His project involved assessing the key factors influencing natural regeneration to help landowners develop more effective, lower-risk regeneration plans.

Emiliano Rinaldo Veronesi researched biocontrol tools for the persistent glasshouse pest, the tomato-potato psyllid, several populations of which are becoming pesticide-resistant.

Supaporn Supaponlakit’s research explored volunteer tourism activities in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and looked at how they could help volunteers gain a different sense of themselves and their identity.

Other research presentations focused on sustainable livelihoods in rural China, corporate dividend policy in Asian emerging markets, the willingness to pay for air quality improvement in Thailand and fodder beet intakes in winter grazing cows.

There were also discussions on how egg consumers would be affected by a ban on traditional battery cages, whether the public health risks of snail meat surpassed its nutritional benefits and how institutions allowed food and fibre businesses to develop to the point that they could enter the export market.

Before presenting the certificates and awards, Professor McKenzie expressed his appreciation for the diverse range of research projects that were showcased at the event.

“The calibre of the presentations was extremely high, and I am humbled by the incredible contribution that your research makes to the university,” he said.

“Relative to size, Lincoln University produces more world-class research than any other university in New Zealand and most of that research is done by you guys. You should all be very proud of your achievements.”

• Learn more about postgraduate study, including our research master's qualifications and PhD programme. 

PHOTO: LUSA Research Postgraduate Representative Findal Probst, who helped organise the postgraduate conference and presented a discussion paper during the event, receives his certificate from Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce McKenzie.