UBC Okanagan graduate Jennifer Forsythe, shown with parents Tracy and Irwin, was the winner of the Three Minute Thesis competition at Celebrate Research week 2014.
Precision and clarity are keys to rapid-fire research presentations
Imagine having three minutes to explain what you’re passionate about. And there’s money on the line if you do a good job.
That’s the challenge facing a group of competitive grad students at UBC’s Okanagan campus, going head to head in the annual 3MT (three-minute thesis) event. Finalists from campus run-offs will compete as part of Celebrate Research Week activities. This year’s 3MT takes place Wednesday, March 4 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the University Theatre ADM026. This event is open to the public.
UBC Okanagan’s 3MT is open to graduate students from all disciplines. In three minutes, and with just one presentation slide, participants must explain the significance and summarize the extent of their research to a panel of judges. Judging is based on comprehension of the material, engagement, and strength of communication. The winner and runner up are selected by the judging panel. The audience also takes part, selecting the People’s Choice Award winner.
Last year’s 3MT winner Jennifer Forsythe, who studies the complex relationships between plants and soils, says the event reinvigorated her passion for research. “Participating in the 3MT competition was an amazing experience on so many levels,” says Forsythe, who has applied to medical school.
“Not only did I gain valuable presentation skills that are translatable to both academic and non-academic settings, but it pushed me to strive for the clearest, most concise, and most interesting way to communicate relatively obscure and complex topics in my research.”
More than bragging rights are at stake, with cash prizes for the top presentations and the overall winner invited to attend the Western Regional 3MT Competition at Thompson Rivers University later this year.
To find out more, visit: www.3mt.ok.ubc.ca
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