Description
The UKRI AI research community is invited to take part in an exciting new initiative, ‘AI Hubs National Public Engagement Challenge’. This competition offers PhD students and Postdoctoral Researchers within UKRI AI community a chance to present their work in a compelling three‑minute video designed for a public audience, and to showcase the depth and diversity of UK AI research on a national stage.
This training will encompass a number of talks and practical sessions, focusing on the basics of machine learning, machine learning interatomic potentials and graph neural networks. There will also be the opportunity for attendees to present a poster on their work.
Why Take Part?
This challenge is a unique professional development opportunity for early‑career researchers.
Participants will:
- Build valuable public engagement skills, increasingly essential for research careers, grant applications, and communicating impact.
- Receive expert training on how to translate complex research into clear, engaging stories.
- Connect with peers across the UK AI Hubs, expanding their interdisciplinary network.
- Gain visibility across the UK AI ecosystem, with all submitted videos showcased online.
- Compete for a spot in the national final, where the top five videos will be presented at the UKAIRS 2026 conference dinner in November, before an audience of policymakers, funders, industry leaders and researchers.
- Potentially take home the title of Overall Winner.
For early‑career researchers looking to strengthen their communication profile and raise the visibility of their work, this is an excellent opportunity.
Who Can Apply?
The challenge is open to researchers connected to a UK AI Hub through any of the following:
- Postdoctoral researchers employed on a UKRI AI Research Hub
- PhD students within a UKRI AI CDT or another Doctoral Training Programme aligned to AI research
- PhD students or PDRAs within the research group of an AI Hub Co‑Investigator, Partner or Member
If you are connected to a UK AI Hub, this is your chance to get involved.
How the Competition Works
Stage 1 — Expression of Interest (deadline: 1 June 2026)
Eligible researchers must submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) including:
- Name
- Role: PhD Student or Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Name of CDT or AI Research Hub
- A 300‑word description of their research for a general audience
- A 150‑word statement on why they want to take part
Submit your Expression of Interest by email by 1June 2026 to info@aichemy.ac.uk with the subject line: ‘AI Hubs: National Public Engagement Challenge’.
Shortlisting will take place on 24 June 2026, with 20–30 researchers selected to progress.
Stage 2 — Training & Video Development (July–September)
Selected researchers will attend an online training session on presenting to public audiences and structuring an effective three‑minute pitch. The session will also offer opportunities to practise with peers from other Hubs.
Participants will then create their own three‑minute video, using one slide (animation permitted). The final criteria for judging will be confirmed beforehand.
A panel of reviewers external to the Hubs, including EPSRC Project Officers, will select the top five finalists.
All videos will be shared online to highlight the breadth of AI research across the UK.
Stage 3 — Grand Final at UKAIRS (24–25 November)
The five finalists will be invited to attend UKAIRS 2026 and their videos will be showcased at the conference dinner.
A judging panel external to the Hubs covering policy and communication specialists will select the overall winner.
If you are an early‑career researcher associated with a UK AI Hub, don’t miss this chance to share your work, develop your skills, and connect with the wider AI community.
Start preparing your EoI and bring your research to life in three minutes.
