FodnessReviewsFerguson

Proposal Presentation Review

Presenter: Sean Ferguson Reviewer: Kevin Fodness

1)Did the presentation clearly describe the aims of the research – empirical, conceptual, methodological, and practical?

Mostly. I would have liked a bit more detail on the specifics of the research aims. There was a lot of detail on the harms / problems, but I was a little unclear on the overall aims of the research. This lack of clarity may be because the research is more broad than I am imagining, and is not clear on purpose.

2)Did the presentation provide an overview of what we already know about the research subject, and then explain how the proposed research will create new knowledge?

Yes. It sounds like the area of research is emerging and is under-studied, so it sounds as though this proposal will add important new knowledge to the field of bioplastics.

3)Did the presentation provide a robust sense of how the research will be carried out, and of the type of data that will be collected?

Yes. There was a slide devoted to who would be interviewed and studied, the presenter discussed how the areas of research would be analyzed, and what he hoped to gain from the analysis.

4)Did the research plan presented seem credible and feasible?

Yes. It did not seem over-broad, but seemed broad enough to cover the areas of research required to come up with meaningful results.

5)Did the presentation provide a tangible sense of the book and other outcomes of the research?

Not explicitly. The project is large enough to be able to generate at least one book, plus conference appearances, journal articles, etc. Outcomes were not explicitly discussed.

6)Did the presentation persuade you that the proposed research is important, in this historical moment in particular?

Absolutely. It is clear that plastics are a problem, and that bioplastics are not the “magic bullet” that many in the industry are touting them as. As bioplastics are on the rise and the world is moving away from a petrochemical economy, critical analysis of bioplastics is crucial.

7)Was the speaking style clear, engaging, and well timed?

Yes. Sean executed an excellent presentation.

8)Further comments and questions:

Very well done.