3 Minute Thesis - 2019 finalists

My name is Jennifer Baldock. My research interests include exploring the interface between cognition and physiology, and how we may be able to use this to improve health outcomes. I am in the 3^rd year of my PhD research working in cognitive hearing science. The 3MT has drastically improved my science communication skills and confidence. Effective SciCom is very important to me and I believe it is an integral part of health care innovation, so this experience has been exceptionally valuable to me, as a scientist.

Broadly, my research considers the effectiveness of peace mechanisms in ensuring long-term peace in post-civil war countries.  The eventual goal, once I submit my thesis in the next year or so, is to work in the International Criminal Court. The 3MT process is an experience to say the least. Not only has it expanded my contacts in other research areas which has been of great assistance in my multidisciplinary research. Additionally, it has been intrinsic in building my confidence and my presentation skills. Skills with are vital to the success of my future career. 

I am a palaeo-ecologist studying how landscapes changed through time, and how this matters for understanding the extinction patterns of large animals today. During and after my PhD, I will continue investigating deep-time global change so that we can anticipate the impacts of future changes on the Earth’s ecosystems. Almost half way into my PhD, the 3MT experience has helped me to appreciate the purpose and the reach of my project beyond my specific scientific discipline. The competition has given me confidence to communicate my research to a wide audience, especially in English, which is not my mother tongue.

I am at the early stages of a part-time PhD in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. In particular I am focused on building a better understanding of the way mental illness and mental health are related, and investigating how this understanding could improve the design of our mental health care system. The 3MT competition has been a great challenge which has been more difficult than I anticipated. The hardest part has been differentiating between the details that I personally find interesting, and the details that are most impactful to the general public - and will help build their knowledge in just a few minutes. This has been an important process which will help me define and describe my research in the future. 

My name is Welmince Djulete. My research interests are professional learning for English as a foreign language or second language teachers in rural context; English language teaching and learning; and rural education. I am in my last year of PhD Candidature at the moment. I am passionate about helping teachers in rural and remote areas to develop themselves through my works and research. The 3MT was a great and enriching experience for me. This competition has contributed to me regaining my self-confidence as a researcher and to share my works with wider audience. I have developed better presentation skills and storyline for my thesis as the results of participating in 3MT. 

I am a Biomedical Engineering graduate currently completing the final year of my PhD at Flinders University. My primary focus is computational cardiology and electrophysiology, particularly in relation to arrhythmia research. My long-term career goal is to help develop new technologies in the hopes of improving patient outcomes and increasing quality of life for those suffering with heart-disorders. The 3MT has really helped me develop the skills required to communicate my research and its significance in a concise, engaging and accessible way. It has also helped greatly with becoming more confident as a public speaker!

I am a third year PhD candidate studying occupational therapy and palliative care, focusing on the importance of engaging in everyday activities for people living with advanced cancer. Working as an occupational therapist for many years was the impetus to do a PhD. I hope to pursue further research and teaching in this field once I graduate from the program. I have really appreciated being given the opportunity to be part of the 3MT as a distance student.  Thanks to Tiffany and Dani for the coaching on how to best use technology to convey important information in this format!

I am a clinician in the second year of my PhD candidature studying the clinical and genetic factors that could help us better predict glaucoma progression. The 3MT experience has helped me greatly strengthen my ability and confidence to broadcast my ideas and research to a wider audience. The coaching and collegiality has also been an enjoyable and fun team building exercise especially with other research disciplines at the University.