‘Spotlight on Social Sciences’ is an annual conference organised and run by and for postgraduate researchers from all subjects within the social and economic sciences. It took place on Thursday the 14^th of March, 2013 at Cardiff University. In total, 50 PhD students attended the conference with delegates and presenters from Cardiff University, University of Bath, Bangor University and Cardiff Met. Dr. Katie Featherstone from the School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies opened the conference with an interesting keynote on ‘Risky relations: what is family in the context of genetic risk?’

Overall, the conference proved a great success with excellent talks from 24 PhD students and eight poster presentations from different disciplines which facilitated lively discussions throughout the day. The topics of talks ranged from social neuroscience to the cocaine trade and energy efficiency with methodologies covering a wide variety of approaches. The conference provided an ideal environment for students to disseminate their work outside of their subject area, and to receive feedback from different perspectives. All presentations and posters were marked by judges, and prizes for best posters and best talks were awarded. The feedback from the event was very positive and was a great opportunity to meet fellow students from different disciplines and different universities.

Finally the conference committee would like to say a big thank you to all the ESRC students who presented at and came to the conference. We had a great turn out from ESRC students and as the conference is beginning to attract students from further afield we’re hoping to see more fellow Wales DTC students next year.