01 / THE ROOM
NOT YOUR
USUAL RESEARCH
ROOM.
Research is for everyone. The conversations around it should be too.
The Common Room 2027 is a research showcase spotlighting Black women and other underrepresented researchers. We bring research out of academic spaces and into the community through accessible, engaging talks for a non-academic audience. We’re looking for UK-based PhD students, MRes students and early-career researchers whose work has the potential to make a real-world impact.
We welcome research across:
- Life & biomedical sciences
- Women’s & public health
- Mental health & psychology
- Health inequalities
- Engineering
- Other areas of research with real-world impact
If your research has the potential to make a real-world impact, we want to hear it.
HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?ALLRESEARCH DISCIPLINES
8–10MINUTE TALKS
5SELECTED SPEAKERS
LONDONJUNE 2027 · IN PERSON
THE COMMON ROOM IS FOR...
THE CURIOUS.
THE QUESTIONERS.
THE BIG THINKERS.
THE COMMON ROOM 2027 / HOW IT WORKS
FROM ABSTRACT
TO APPLAUSE.
Your research. Your voice.
Support at every step.
- 01
SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT
Send an abstract of no more than 250 words and a one-line research tagline in everyday language. An academic panel will review the applications and shortlist researchers for the next stage.
Deadline: 3 January 2027 · 11:30pm UK time
- 02
BRING IT TO LIFE ON VIDEO
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a video introducing their research. The panel will use these submissions to select five finalists for the live showcase.
Video guidance will be shared with shortlisted applicants.
- 03
BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE ONLINE
Finalists will join online training with inspiring speakers to develop their storytelling, presentation skills and confidence communicating to a non-academic audience. A final online preparation session with SiSTEM co-founders Donna and Dr Abigail Otchere will help you get ready for the stage.
All pre-event training takes place online. The 2027 guest trainer line-up will be announced.
- 04
TAKE THE STAGE IN LONDON
Join us in person in June 2027 to deliver your 8–10 minute talk, share why your research matters and connect with a curious community.
London · June 2027 · Exact date and venue to be confirmed
A LOOK BACK / PREVIOUS EDITION TRAINER
LEARN FROM
POWERFUL VOICES.
Maudlyn Akosua Awuku
Our previous edition featured Maudlyn Akosua Awuku: a TEDx speaker, women’s and youth leadership advocate, and founder of GEWE Network and Anijie Global Foundation. Her work connects leadership, inclusion and social change.
Watch her TEDx University of Salford talk, Breaking Boundaries by Empowering Social Change, for a taste of the power of personal storytelling.
MEET MAUDLYN
WATCH HER TEDx TALKOpens on YouTube · Previous edition trainer
ONLINE TRAINING. IN-PERSON SHOWCASE.SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT
02 / MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT
MADE WITH
More than a platform. A community making space for people and ideas.
SiSTEM UK is a community-led organisation championing women and girls in STEM through community, culture and opportunity. The Common Room carries that same spirit into research: making knowledge more accessible, celebrating perspectives that are too often overlooked and creating space to connect.
STEM · COMMUNITY · CULTUREEXPLORE SiSTEM UK
INSIDE THE COMMON ROOM
BIG IDEAS.
REAL CONVERSATIONS.
A taste of our previous showcase. Watch the moments on TikTok.
03 / YOUR TURN
TAKE THE
FLOOR.
Big ideas deserve to be heard. Tell us about yours.
Share your research in an 8–10 minute talk. Five finalists will receive online storytelling and presentation training before taking the stage in London.
London · June 2027. Exact event date to be confirmed.
Abstract deadline: 3 January 2027, 11:30pm UK time.