UCC student scoops top prize in national 'Three Minute Thesis' competition

A University College Cork (UCC) student has been named winner of the national Irish Universities Association (IUA) annual ‘Three Minute Thesis’ competition.

Aideen McCabe was one of eight PhD researchers competing for the prestigious prize, with her presentation on identifying ways to detect ovarian cancer earlier impressing the judging panel chaired by IUA director general Jim Miley

The Three Minute Thesis concept was originally developed by the University of Queensland and has been replicated around the globe supporting graduate research students in their development as confident research communicators.

Challenged

Participants are challenged to present their research in three minutes, using only one slide, to a non-specialist audience.

Entrants must distil their niche subjects and intensive research into bite-sized presentations that will inform and entertain the general public.

The competition saw researchers from Dublin City University, Maynooth University, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Galway, University of Limerick and TU Dublin take part.

The judging panel scored the competitors on two aspects, ‘Comprehension and Content’ and ‘Engagement and Communication’, and decided the overall winner and runner-up while the audience also had the opportunity to choose their favourite.

'Fantastic journey'

Ms McCabe said taking part in the competition had been a “fantastic journey”.

“I am thrilled to have won the national final,” she said.

“Taking part has enhanced my communication skills and allowed me to think of my research in a creative way and from the viewpoint of others.”

Congratulating Ms McCabe, runner-up Muhammed Muddassar of the University of Limerick and Audience Choice Award winner Megan Joyce of TU Dublin, Mr Miley said taking part in the Three Minute Thesis Competition offers participants “a platform to share their research in a way that boosts their confidence and ultimately provides them with the communication skills that are crucial in their careers.”

“I’d like to congratulate the winners of today’s competition and all the finalists on participating in the national final. I hope the experience gives each and every one a sense of accomplishment and the empowerment to confidentially communicate your research.”