Sponsored by The Graduate School, The Graduate Student Congress, and The Society of Postdoctoral Scholars

UK GradResearch Live! was born out of the University of Queensland’s 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, a research presentation initiative begun in 2008 that challenges graduate students to effectively communicate their research to a general audience, with a single slide, in three minutes or less. 

Final to be held in Worsham Cinema in the Gatton Student Center, Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 4:30

A Public Graduate and Postdoc Research Showcase/Three-Minute Thesis Three Tracks: Pre-3MT (Early in the Research Project) 3MT (Nearing Completion of the Research Project) Postdoc 3MT Concurrent preliminary rounds will be held on Thursday, October 17 at 4:30 p.m. (locations TBA). Preliminary rounds are divided according to academic discipline, with each division competing concurrently in its own location. The top two Pre-3MT and the top three 3MT presenters from each division will advance to the finals. Up to six of the top postdoc presenters across all divisions will advance to the finals. Arts, Humanities Social Sciences Health Sciences STEM  Final event will have up to 8 in the Pre-3MT, up to 12 in the 3MT, and up to 6 in the Postdoc 3MT -- 26 total.

How can the 3MT benefit you? Skills development (public communication and presentation skills) Highlight important and innovative research and research culture Fosters creativity in constructing your research narrative and slide design Networking with other students, faculty, staff Valuable in the job search (or postdoc search) Prize money!

How can the 3MT benefit you? Why is distilling and communicating research in a language appropriate for a non-specialist audience is a core skill for future careers? Shares the excitement of our research beyond our committees and departments to break down silos within academia Engages the public (beyond the ivory tower), media, politicians/legislators in your research and scholarship Creates and empowers an informed citizenry Potentially improves state and federal support for higher education and research

How can the 3MT benefit you, your research, your discipline, the world? Question for discussion: Why do you see the ability to communicate your research to a public audience important to your professional development, to your future as a scholar-citizen?

Distilling the Narrative of Your Research

Rather, it places the focus on meaning, not process. Distilling does not mean “dumbing down” Rather, it places the focus on meaning, not process.

Presenting Your Research to Novice Audiences to Help them Learn Make the human connection (the hook) Build a case for why your research matters Minimize or eliminate academic jargon Use narrative cues to help the audience Use images to support and concretize your central finding/assertion Be conversational and expressive

Presenting Your Research to Novice Audiences to Help them Learn Make the human connection (the hook) Build a case for why your research matters Minimize or eliminate academic jargon Use narrative cues to help the audience Use images to support and concretize your central finding/assertion Be conversational and expressive

Richard E. Mayer, Department of Psychological and Brian Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara (from his presentation at UK on Sept. 12, 2017)

Richard E. Mayer, Department of Psychological and Brian Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara (from his presentation at UK on Sept. 12, 2017)

Richard E. Mayer, Department of Psychological and Brian Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara (from his presentation at UK on Sept. 12, 2017)

Richard E. Mayer, Department of Psychological and Brian Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara (from his presentation at UK on Sept. 12, 2017)

Richard E. Mayer, Department of Psychological and Brian Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara (from his presentation at UK on Sept. 12, 2017)

Richard E. Mayer, Department of Psychological and Brian Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara (from his presentation at UK on Sept. 12, 2017)

Richard E. Mayer, Department of Psychological and Brian Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara (from his presentation at UK on Sept. 12, 2017)

Richard E. Mayer, Department of Psychological and Brian Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara (from his presentation at UK on Sept. 12, 2017)

Beware the curse of knowledge When you know something so well, it’s difficult to imagine what it’s like not to know it. The Big Bang Theory

More on the basics Find the core idea(s); stick to them. Engage your listener in your story; then introduce complexity gradually. Avoid the abstract; use examples, anecdotes, analogies to help appeal to the senses. Build a story – what’s surprising, exciting, difficult, upsetting, mysterious about your topic.

Appeal to logic and emotion Don’t be afraid to show your passion or get personal.

Your presentation TITLE is critical to your success Try to keep it under 8 words. Keep it fun. Think of it as a newspaper headline or an article teaser, not as an academic journal title. Example (from Matthew Thompson, University of Queensland) Dissertation title: “Structures and Features in Complex Visual Stimuli Assisting Identification in Forensics” 3MT Title: “Suspects, Science, and CSI”

Additional Resources: University of Queensland’s 3MT site https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/watch-3mt University of Kentucky’s previous competitions https://gradschool.uky.edu/uk-gradresearch-live