Toolkit Unisbreakfast

The main aim of the UNISBREAKFAST is for the students to share how they got where they are today, inspire each other, and come together by sharing information about their research projects. It is also to improve the learning environment and to increase the interaction between students. Past events have also created a space for networking where students can engage in each other’s research.

For the student presenting, UNISBREAKFAST can be a great practice arena for outreach and training before defending their thesis. The events can also give insight to different specializations and topics for later research, especially within the track the students are already following, but also within other disciplines.

UNISBREAKFAST brings students from different natural disciplines and educational levels (bachelor, master, and PhD) together and fuels their academic knowledge. Approximately 50 - 70 students participate at each event, and all UNIS students are invited.

This event is a low cost, high gain event and should be funded by the academic institution. Visit our homepage here.

Link to relevant news articles:
• https://bioceednews.w.uib.no/?s=unisbreakfast
• https://bioceednews.w.uib.no/2023/10/26/a-simple-three-part-form-but-very-valuable-feedback/

UNISBREAKFAST is planned by the bioCEED student representatives and hosted in a relaxed academic atmosphere a couple of times every semester. Two students, either Master or PhD students, talk about their research projects and what educational choices led them where they are today, while students are listening to the talk and enjoying breakfast and coffee. The short talks last about 15 to 20 minutes each, and typically end in questions and discussions.

Pre-event planning task list

• Book rooms
• Invite speakers
• Make FB events and invite participants
• Apply for a budget
• Buy food, coffee etc.

The event agenda

• Students arrive
• Coffee and breakfast are served
• First speaker talks for 10-20 minutes
• Audience can ask questions for 5-10 minutes
• Break for 10 minutes to refill coffee and food
• Second speaker talk for 10-20 minutes
• Audience can ask questions for 5-10 minutes

Such presentations give the Master and PhD students the opportunity to train and strengthen oral presentation skills and science communication. The audience can ask questions and get inspiration on potential career paths. After the event the students are asked to fill out two questions given as a QR code (web page link) shown at the screen. We collect the feedback and forward it to the bioCEED student representatives.

Good communication is essential both between the organizers and the invited speakers and between the organizers and the target audience. Print posters, send e-mails, talk to other student representative and spread the word.

Also, check the course schedule before inviting students. Make sure at least the main target group do not have other planned activities such as lectures and fieldwork, and that they are able to join. A potential expansion could be to include students from nearby universities, highschools and/or “folkehøyskoler”.