"3 Questions Lead You to a Diverse World of Science" – A Unique Research Poster Presentation at Kumamoto University
From June 21st to 25th, a special interdisciplinary research poster presentation was held at the 100th Anniversary Hall, Kumamoto University. This innovative event showcased research through an engaging and accessible format. Each poster featured a single image and posed three key questions to stimulate thought and discussion:- A question the researcher wants to ask the participants
- What is the mystery I am pursuing?
- What have I done, or what do I want to do then?
Over the five days, the event attracted a diverse audience of 460 participants, including researchers from various institutions as well as members of the general public. With its clear and straightforward format, the presentations were easily approachable, covering a wide range of topics—from social sciences and medical research to language studies and artificial intelligence. This diversity in subjects made the event particularly engaging for all attendees.
Participants contributed to the event by leaving comments on Post-it notes, turning them into active participants and allowing for the exchange of valuable insights. Presenters were able to collect these comments, fostering a rich dialogue and providing new avenues for reflection.
One of the highlights of the event was its role as a platform for communication between researchers from different fields. The session titled "The Intersection of Questions" brought together two researchers from distant disciplines. Each pair exchanged insights about their work, with one researcher (Researcher A) presenting Researcher B’s work and answering questions related to it. This exercise allowed both participants to better understand each other's fields, view their own research from a new perspective, and explore potential breakthroughs or opportunities for collaboration.
The final day of the event featured an Exploration Seminar designed for middle and high school students, as well as teachers. Led by Dr. Naoki Miyano, Associate Professor at Kyoto University, this session introduced real-life researchers' "questions" and offered a seminar on inquiry-based learning. The aim was to spark students' interest in science and provide teachers with strategies to motivate students to explore the world of scientific inquiry.
This event was part of the "National Caravan 3 Questions", a nationwide interdisciplinary research poster presentation series. Hosted by Kumamoto University and the International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS), the Kyushu/Okinawa Region Edition featured 95 posters from 26 different organizations. The event not only facilitated communication among researchers from diverse backgrounds but also acted as a bridge connecting the scientific community with the general public.
Post-it Notes Reflecting the Active Engagement of Participants
Engaged in Exploring the Posters
Engaged in Exploring the Posters
“3-minute presentation” Given by Lecturer RISTEA Viorel, Faculty of Letters, Kumamoto University
During “The Intersection of Questions”, researchers explained research to each other
Getting A Researcher From A Distant Field to Understand Your Own Work Is Not Easy
Presenting another researcher's work to a wider audience at the“The Intersection of Questions”
(Presenter: Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Yuki Harada, Research and Education Institute for Semiconductors and Informatics, Kumamoto Universiry)
Presenting another researcher's work to a wider audience at the “The Intersection of Questions”