Top Talks
About Top Talks
Top Talks showcases exceptional oral presentations from VCE Extended Investigation students.
Selected students share their original and rigorous independent research and findings through 8–10 minute presentations. Following the presentations, a Q&A panel discussion is held with the presenters, giving the audience an opportunity to learn more about the students' research topics and methods, as well as their experiences studying VCE Extended Investigation.
Top Talks 2026 will take place on Friday 6 March 2026, in the Conversation Quarter at State Library Victoria.
Top Talks 2025
Top Talks 2025 took place at the Conversation Quarter, State Library Victoria on Friday 7 March 2025.
Alexander Martin
Virtual School Victoria, Thornbury/Tintern Grammar, Ringwood East, Wurundjeri Country
Human Error in Healthcare Cybersecurity
Laura Tong
Camberwill Girls Grammar School, Canterbury, Wurundjeri Country
Sustainable Marine Oil Spill Remediation
Richard Song
Melbourne HIgh School, South Yarra, Wurundjeri Country
Logo Simplification: A Study
Sha'Quilla WIlliams
Wurun Senior Campus, Fitzroy North, Wurundjeri Country
The Implications of Colonial Control on Mental Health in Nigeria
Selection Process
Students who have completed VCE Extended Investigation are not required to submit an application for Top Talks. Participants will be selected via the externally-assessed task assessment process. Participants must receive an A or an A+ for the externally-assessed task, and an exceptional mark for their oral presentation.
The selection panel ensures all presentations are considered fairly according to the criteria and cover a breadth of research topics. The VCE Season of Excellence team and other VCAA staff members have no input into which talks are selected.
Invitations to present at Top Talks will be sent to participants by email and/or post in mid-late December.
Education resources
Top Talks Recordings
Access previous Top Talks presentations and downloadable transcripts in the Top Talks Archive.