Ridzuan is currently at Loughborough University researching the use of multimedia tools, particularly motion graphics, for holding design students’ attention. He recently won the People’s Choice award at this year’s Vitae Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition for his presentation 'Goldfish vs. Human'.
You can see 'Goldfish vs. Human' and find out more about his work at Ridzuan's YouTube channel or his Behance channel
Can you tell us about your research and the area it focuses on? Plus, how you became interested in this?
My research explores the potential of multimedia technology, in particular motion graphics, to create an interactive and inclusive learning playground specifically designed for generation Z students by examining its effects on students' attitude, achievement, and attention. This practise-based research allows me to propose a new curriculum and medium that can help to improve student learning experience in the field of art and design in the Malaysian context. As a lecturer who was formerly a graphic designer, I always believe that graphic design could perform an important role in grabbing and sustaining students' attention in classroom. The outcomes of this research have the potential to not only impact the education field, but they can also support and inspire educators from all sectors to transform their classroom through interactive medium for generation Z in reaching their full potential.
You very recently won the People’s Choice award for your presentation 'Goldfish vs. Human' at this year’s Vitae Three Minute Thesis competition– how did you prepare for that and what was it like?
The idea of presenting a "goldfish vs human" study was inspired by a 2015 Microsoft study that indicated goldfish have a greater attention span of 9 seconds than humans (8 seconds). Having previously worked in the creative sector, I believe this is an interesting subject to work on because goldfish are an authentic representation of our daily lives, which are constantly surrounded by technology. The National Vitae Three Minutes Thesis preparation was a phenomenal experience in which I had strong support from the marketing university, doctoral college, and my own supervising team. The main things that make this achievement possible are the intense training and exceptional university promotion. Furthermore, I have the honour of being interviewed live on Astro Awani, a prominent news channel in Malaysia, where I discuss my research and promote the event. I consider myself fortunate to have not only advanced to the national finals, but also to have received the People's Choice Award and £1000 research grant (which was sponsored by Vitae and UKRI). The winning results of the three minutes thesis at university, regional and national level have exceptionally boosted my self-confidence in conducting research. My current objective is to engage a broader audience in this investigation through public engagement initiatives.
Please would you provide a short list of the highlights of your career to date?
My career journey started after the completion of my creative multimedia degree, I entered working life as a graphic and web designer for a number of companies prior to making the transition to the education sector in 2017. I have experience teaching art and design subjects at several Malaysian private universities. I obtained a Master’s in Graphic Design from the Edinburgh College of Arts (ECA), University of Edinburgh, Scotland. I am currently in the second year of a PhD programme at Loughborough University, which is financially supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). I am attached to UPM as a lecturer, since January 2022. I recently received the Vice-Chancellor's Gold Award from Loughborough University, for my contribution on winning at the university, regional and national levels of National Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. As well as making history as the first finalist from an art and design background in the 3MT competition.
What is your typical workday like?
As a husband and parent, my responsibilities are more than being a researcher, as I must manage family affairs before coming to the office. Typically, I make an effort to arrive at the office immediately following the trip of my four-year-old child to the nursery. There are times when I'll study in the library instead of my personal workspace to get in a better mood. I also work a part-time job every day from 4:30 to 7 p.m. I'll head directly to the library after work to continue working until 10 p.m. I need to be good at managing my time so that I can get everything done, since I also have to take care of a child and a wife who is pregnant. I usually try to find time on the weekends to eat with my family or visit cities or close attractions. This helps me balance my time between work and family.
Could you tell us a little about your background, where you are from in Malaysia, where you have studied and how this led to you researching in the UK?
I grew up in Felda Melati Jengka 11, a rural area in Pahang, Malaysia, noted for its extensive palm oil fields. My journey in multimedia field began as an undergraduate student at Limkokwing University's Cyberjaya and London branches, where I studied and worked for a total of seven years. I graduated from Edinburgh College of Arts with a master's degree in graphic design. I am presently employed as a lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia, while simultaneously on study leave in order to complete my doctoral degree at Loughborough University. I have chosen to pursue my PhD in the United Kingdom due to the belief that it offers an exceptional environment for research training, as reflected by my previous experiences at ECA. The positive QS World Ranking for the UK for art and design validates my opinion that this is my best chance to help enhance the same area in Malaysia.
As an international researcher in the UK what advice would you give to others considering working or studying in another country?
This is really depending on your own personal circumstances. Having a family may necessitate that you maintain financial stability; in any case, the ability to multitask may be essential. Part time job as a tutor, cleaner or etc could help you earn extra cash as I am also working part time. Make sure that you comply with the student visa rules, where you are not allowed to work more than 20 hours a week. If you come from Southeast Asia as me, you may feel the UK or Europe is completely different from what you are used to. Getting to know people around you might help in adapting with the culture and environment in your new place. Get yourself comfortable.
Do you have any advice for other early career researchers who would like to share their work with the public?
One point to bear in mind is that perfection is not always necessary. There is a tendency to procrastinate until we find the ideal moment or location to act, when in actuality, this is not always mandatory. My primary motivation for participating in the 3MT competition was my lack of confidence in my own study, which pushed me to compete against other researchers even though I still have a lot of knowledge to learn and absorb. Despite that, I was able to win a regional and national prize, and I now have a better knowledge of my research as a result of the comments and criticism I received. Secondly, enjoy the process! Some researchers may find it to be their greatest nightmare to present their work to the general public, given that they must interact with individuals from various backgrounds. Instead of viewing it as a burden, my personal advice is to view it as the finest opportunity for you to share your discoveries and ideas. This could help to relax your thoughts and allow you to focus on enjoying the learning experience.
Since starting my journey as a doctoral researcher, I have realized the importance of using social media in research. Not only could I use it for personal sharing, but it can also be utilised to share about your journey as you pursue your PhD. I strongly recommend researchers to use social media since it allows you to instantly connect with professionals at your university and in your field, particularly on Twitter and LinkedIn.
How have you had success securing funding for your work?
It is crucial to recognise that this process may not be as simple as it appears, and it may be time-consuming. What I always feel is that no effort is ever wasted, and even if we don't succeed today, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future, so it's critical to put in a lot of effort on a consistent basis. Personally, it took me a year to secure funding for my PhD scholarship as I had to go through process by process. After a year of perseverance and hard work, I was awarded the scholarship, which is entirely supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and University Putra Malaysia. Furthermore, I was able to secure a grant by winning the People's Choice Award in the National Vitae Three Minutes Thesis competition. This is a rare chance that takes a lot of work and dedication. I think the real measure of success is having faith in our own skills and giving everything we do our best effort.
What are your hopes and plans for your future career?
I hope this study will encourage educators in various sectors to diversify and improve the quality of delivery in the classroom not only in the field of art and design but in other fields as well. In addition, I hope that this golden opportunity will help me to further develop my skills, network and career as a researcher. Next, considering that I am currently a lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia, I hope to hold project collaborations with universities around the UK and beyond in the future. I also wish to contribute more to publications and exhibitions in the field of art and design in order to ensure that this field receives sufficient exposure at all levels and especially in the Malaysia context.
Below are the links to Ridzuan’s personal social accounts that he uses to share his thoughts and works: