Research that could bring to life an idea from the movie Big Hero 6 – a friendly healthcare robot who can inspire trust from humans – won a major communications prize for early-career researchers.

UNSW Scientia PhD candidate Frederic Robinson won this year’s top prize – the Vice-Chancellors’ Award – in the Universities Australia Pitch It Clever research communications challenge in February.

His winning video explained his research on integrating speakers into robots and smart environments to make sound when parts move or to react to touch – and its potential application.

Mr Robinson won a $3000 cash prize and a week’s residency at The Conversation media outlet.

University of Wollongong PhD candidate Kayla Steele won second prize – the Universities Australia Award – for her work on supporting parents with complex mental health conditions.

Anna Singleton, a University of Sydney PhD candidate and Westmead Applied Research Centre Research Associate won the People’s Choice Award. Her research seeks to modernise follow-up care for breast cancer survivors.

The 2020 Pitch It Clever competition was generously supported by The Conversation.

The competition challenges early career researchers to communicate their research to a public audience in a clear and compelling one-to-two-minute video.