Communication is key in the Three Minute Thesis competition

Every year across the globe, thousands of PhD students give something like a TED Talk in a pressure cooker. The time-constrained Three Minute Thesis competition began in 2008 at Australia’s University of Queensland, but has since expanded to more than 900 universities in 85 countries, including the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. 

On Nov. 14, a dozen University students, each of whom had won their individual college competition, laddered up to the University-wide event and presented research they’ve worked on—in many cases for years—to a crowd of around 200, including a panel of judges from the Twin Cities community. The event’s winner moves to the regional competition, with the hope of eventually competing for the world’s top prize. 

These 12 students from 12 colleges—the most ever to participate in the event—presented their research on issues including antibiotic resistance, cancer therapies, and even whether there is a genetic basis for religious beliefs. Often, the presentations took the form of a story or analogy that audiences could immediately relate to. 

Story matters

Sarah Ziemann of the College of Science and Engineering began her 180 seconds by reciting the lyrics of Katy Perry’s hit pop song, “Firework,” but with a twist: 

“Katy Perry once said, ‘Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind … breaking into microplastics.’ Ok, maybe she didn’t say that last part. But I’ll bet your ears perked up at the term microplastics,” said Ziemann. Her research focuses on how plastics break apart into microplastics and nanoplastics in the natural environment—a major public health and worldwide environmental challenge. 

Still, the competition isn’t judged on the research. With just one PowerPoint slide, no props, and 180 seconds, the goal is to captivate the audience by explaining not only the crux of the work, but how and why it matters in a way that anyone can understand. 

The skyrocketing popularity of the event is a reflection of our times: a world where competition for attention is fierce and so-called “soft” skills like clear and concise communication can make or break the impact research ultimately has on society. 

“The key is helping students convey complex ideas in a short period of time,” says Scott Lanyon, vice provost and dean of graduate education. He describes the event as being like a classic elevator pitch. “This is a really important life skill regardless of the career you pursue,” says Lanyon, who emphasized that there are about 7,000 graduate students at the University of Minnesota, many of whom are conducting research that will improve, enrich, and even save the lives of Minnesotans and people all across the world. 

Judge Barb Fugate, executive vice president and chief information officer with United Bankers’ Bank, emphasized that communication skills are often what sets the ceiling for students’ careers. “As you’re advancing and you’re moving up and you’re in conversation with your peers … at some point the people around the table will not know what you know. Your ability to convey your message is what determines your effectiveness in that role.”

Nisha Vishwanathan, a 4th-year PhD candidate in the College of Biological Sciences, took second place in the event with her presentation about “nightmare bacteria” and antibiotic resistance, research that she described as “a battle for the ages.”

“We are on the edge of a global crisis,” explained Vishwanathan. “If you zoom closely into the microscopic world, there’s a constant war between germs … a real-life Game of Thrones, battling for territory and survival. That’s where my research comes in. By studying bacteria’s DNA, I aim to leverage nature’s own design to develop tomorrow's stronger medicines, helping us stay one step ahead in this ongoing battle.”

Itorobong “Itoro” Uwatt, a doctoral student in the Environmental Health program in the School of Public Health, ultimately won both the first place award and the crowd favorite “People’s Choice Award.” Uwatt moved the audience with her compelling presentation on the misunderstood risks of hookah smoking and its significant impacts on children’s health. 

As this year’s champion, Uwatt will represent the University at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools competition this spring. 

Learn more about the University of Minnesota Graduate School.