The Three Minute Thesis Competition


Winner and Runner-up

The Winner of the inaugural Three Minute Thesis competition is Mr Michael Imelfort, PhD candidate in the School of Land, Crop & Food Sciences (Faculty of Natural Resources, Agricultural & Veterinary Sciences). Michael's prize was presented by science journalist and ABC broadcaster Robyn Williams.

The Runner-up is Ms Ashley Wilkinson, PhD candidate in the School of Pharmacy (Faculty of Health Sciences).

Congratulations Michael and Ashley and profound thanks to all participants and colleagues in Schools, Institutes and Faculties for embracing the Three Minute Thesis competition.

Professor Alan Lawson, Ms Ashley Wilkinson, Mr Michael Imelfort, Mr Robyn Williams

Media

Radio: ABC Radio interview of 3MT finalists Ashley Wilkinson and Angela Higginson (Download .mp3 file - 6MB)

Television: TEN News feature

People's Choice

Those who attended the 3MT Final were permitted to vote for the finalist who most impressed them. In total 172 votes were cast. In a stunning display of popular democracy, the people and our judges spoke as one, choosing the first three in order:

  1. Michael Imelfort
  2. Ashley Wilkinson
  3. Angela Higginson

What is it?

RHD candidates have three minutes to give an engaging and dynamic response to the dreaded question “So, how’s your thesis going?” or “What are you researching?”

How will it be judged?

Entrants should present the Three Minute Thesis as a compelling three minute oration on their thesis topic and its significance in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience. A single PowerPoint slide is permitted but no additional electronic media.

Who is eligible to enter?

Anyone who is active in the UQ PhD or MPhil program.

Why do it?

The Three Minute Thesis Competition supports a key UQ Research Higher Degree Graduate Attribute:
the capacity to communicate ideas effectively to a range of audiences inside and outside the field of study or discipline and to the wider community.

PhD Comics cartoon image

Prizes (or Why do it - Part 2)

  • Every competitor: a Piled Higher and Deeper comics t-shirt (designed by Jorge Cham specifically for this UQ event)
  • Each Faculty Final winner: autographed 3-volume set of Jorge Cham’s Piled Higher and Deeper comics + UQ Bookshop $100 book voucher
  • Runner-up: a Timex stop-watch + $200 UQ Bookshop voucher
  • Winner: receives a Timex stop-watch + international research or conference grant of up to $5000.  

Timeframe

  • By Sept 10: School/Institute heats to choose entrants for Faculty Finals (1 or 2 each) - organised at School/Institute level
  • By Sept 18: Faculty semi-finals - organised by each Faculty
  • Sept 23: University final (7 competitors) - organised by Graduate School: 2.30-3.30pm Tuesday 23 September, Room 206 Steele building (3)
  • Sept 25: Research Week Industry Dinner at Customs House: winner and runner-up to present their Three Minute Thesis

Notes

Number to go forward from Schools/Institutes will depend on the number of units in your Faculty.

Institutes winners will go forward to the most relevant Faculty Final. Entrants should select the Faculty that most closely represents their research or discipline.

Contacts

School/Institute heats and Faculty finals - contact your relevant Postgraduate Coordinator or Administrator for details about timing, venues and formats.

Not sure who your relevant Postgrad Coordinator or Administrator is? Check here: http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/index.html?page=45633

University final and Research Week activities: contact Tony Miscamble

Graduate Student Week: 22-27 September

Check out the Grad Student Week program.
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