Kirsten Tilleman – Faculty of Engineering and Design
PhD candidate Kirsten Tilleman is researching ways to make public transport safer and more accessible for people of all identities and needs. She entered the Research Showcase in 2025 to share her research with a wider audience and challenge herself to communicate complex ideas in a creative, visual format, taking out the top Academic Poster prize.
“My research aims to help people of all identities and needs access public transport safely and securely. Over the course of my PhD, I’ve applied a systems thinking framework to designing solutions that reduce the risk of harm and violence that women and gender-expansive people face on public transport, with an emphasis on LGBTQI-directed violence and active bystander strategies.
“I entered the Research Showcase because I was drawn to the challenge of translating my research into a more widely digestible format, and to the opportunity to share my research and learn about others’ research. The chance to step back from data analysis and paper writing to be more visually creative with my research was also a perk – I enjoyed the process of making my poster!"
The showcase was a great experience, especially on the last day when participants had a chance to interact with attendees and each other.
"The atmosphere was buzzing, and it was inspiring to see so much interesting research happening across the University. I walked away energised and inspired.
“I’d encourage other doctoral candidates to enter the Research Showcase. The benefits of participating reach beyond the Showcase itself. The process of distilling your research to its core aspects and key takeaways is super valuable for shepherding your research and extending its impact, and you’ll get to make fantastic connections along the way.”
Enter the 2026 Research Showcase
The Research Showcase is a great opportunity for doctoral candidates to creatively communicate their research and its impact to a general audience. Enter your academic poster and/or research image by Sunday 20 September.
Learn more about the Research Showcase.