29 August 2017: Some of the University of Canberra’s finest minds will put their research knowledge to the test in front of a live audience during this year’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.
Australia’s marsupial invaders, uncovering new antivirals in our kitchen cupboards and how modern women in politics are punished by the system and the public will be some of the research topics discussed.
The competing PhD candidates will combine their understanding of their field of expertise with stage-craft and presentation skills before a layman audience on Wednesday, 30 August.
- A dress rehearsal will be held at the University TODAY, Tuesday 29 August, 2:30 – 4:00pm. Media are invited to attend.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Frances Shannon says it’s a great challenge for PhD candidates.
“The average PhD thesis is 80,000 words long, while the average speaking speed is two and a half words a second. So we are really getting these students to cram their knowledge down into about 450 words, less if you count dramatic pauses,” Professor Shannon said.
“But the competition is serious business because presentation skills are critical for PhD candidates, especially those who will go on to have research careers. In the future they’ll be expected to speak at academic conferences, seminars and in front of panels competing for grants.”
The winners of the University of Canberra 2017 3MT competition will share in $3,500 in prize money and the overall winner will progress to the Asia-Pacific Finals on 29 September in Brisbane. The audience will also be asked to vote for their favourite presenter on the night, with an extra $500 to be awarded to the People’s Choice.
The 2017 judging panel includes: Adam Boland, Executive Producer (Video) at the Australian Academy of Science; David Hazlehurst, Acting-Deputy Secretary at the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation and Science; Emma MacDonald, Distinguished UC Alumni and Associate Editor at HerCanberra; Nipuni Wijewickrema, entrepreneur and ACT Young Australian of the Year 2016.
WHAT: University of Canberra 2017 Three Minute Thesis Final
WHEN: Wednesday 30 August, 6:30pm – 8:00pm. Book your tickets here.
WHERE: University of Canberra, Building 1, Level A, Theatrette (next to Mizzuna Café) campus map
2017 3MT Competitors
- Anji Perera: Engaging the disengaged to shrink the water footprint (@Anji_perera)
- Shara Ranasinghe: A path to support the cancer battle (@SharaRanasinghe)
- Mel Timpson: Objectives of university education (@Mellificus)
- Cynthia Mathew: Hijacking the hijacker: nuclear export inhibitors against Exportin-dependent viruses (@Cynthiamathewms)
- Kerstin Oberprieler: Systemic gamification: the design of environments for meaningful engagement (@KerstinOberprie)
- Anna Brichacek: Let’s change the ending: investigating positive body image in youth (@anna_brichacek)
- Caroline Gouws: The sweet side of prickly pear
- Danish Ahmad: Breaking barriers, changing destinies (@danish_ahmad82)
- Hayley Teasdale: Proprioception: your sixth sense (@haylolz)
- Foyez Shams: Genetic approach for native fish conservation (@FoyezShams)
- Margarita Medina: The decline of Australian marsupials (@maggie_medrom)
- Shayer Alam: Dragon sex (@shayermia77)
- Joanna Richards: Modern Marie-Antoinettes: The punishment of political women (@tootsiekannah)
Interviews with 3MT participants can be arranged.
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Marcus Butler: 0438 447 810
Claudia Doman: 0408 826 362