After winning the CQUniversity 2025 Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) competition, my claymation video on reading-to-dog programs as literacy interventions has now entered the international round. It’s been such a joy seeing my little clay dog take on a life of his own and help share my research story with a wider audience.
This week, I’ve been working my networks across Facebook and LinkedIn to spread the word and encourage people to watch the video – because in the international competition, the Trending Prize is decided by views! The response has been heartwarming. Friends, colleagues, and even strangers have shared, commented, and sent messages of support.
One of the highlights was seeing the Dean of Graduate Research at my uni resharing my post to help boost visibility. It’s a small gesture that means a lot…a reminder of how supportive academic communities can be when it comes to celebrating research communication and creativity.
I was also featured in the CQU Review newsletter as well.
You can still watch (and rewatch!) the video here:
🎥 https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.30134638.v1
I’m so grateful for everyone who’s taken the time to click, view, and share. Every view not only helps in the competition but also helps raise awareness of how dogs can support reading and wellbeing in schools.
Melissa Smith 