Top Talks
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which we work and present the VCE Season of Excellence; the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation. We acknowledge all traditional and ongoing custodians of the lands across Victoria, where students have investigated new creative possibilities and developed their bold artistic works.
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 2025
Top Talks 2025 will take place on Friday 7 March 2025, in the Conversation Quarter at State Library Victoria.
Tickets can be booked at the State Library Victoria website.
Top Talks 2024
Top Talks 2024 took place at the Conversation Quarter, State Library Victoria on Friday 1 March 2024.
Four VCE Extended Investigation students from 2023 were selected to present their oral presentation.
Alexandra-Rose Hackel-Calvi
Woodleigh School, Langwarrin South, Bunurong Country
Preserving Southern Mornington Peninsula’s coastal middens against visitor erosion
Alexandra-Rose Hackel-Calvi Top Talks transcript
Xara Anderson
Camberwell Girls Grammar School, Canterbury, Wurundjeri Country
Parasocial Relationships and Australian Politics
Xara Anderson Top Talks transcript
Matthew Muller
University High School, Parkville, Wurundjeri Country
To What Extent can E. Coli Develop Resistance to Manuka Honey?
Matthew Muller Top Talks transcript
Alyna Hwey-Lin Ng
East Doncaster Secondary College, Doncaster East, Wurundjeri Country
The Influence of Eurocentrism on South and Southeast Asian Women's Self-perceptions of Beauty
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 (EAT) assessment process. Participants must receive an A or an A+ for the EAT, 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.
Educational Resources
Curriculum and Assessment Resources
Curriculum and assessment resources can be found on the Extended Investigation study page.
Top Talks Archive
Access previous Top Talks presentations and downloadable transcripts in the Top Talks Archive.