Pitch Perfect: Three Minute Thesis Demystifies Graduate Research

On Friday, October 4th, 10 student finalists competed in VCU’s Three Minute Thesis competition sponsored by the VCU Graduate School. The finalists were the top scorers from an initial field of 28 graduate students from six schools and colleges and nineteen disciplines who competed on September 23rd and 24th. The goal of 3MT is for graduate students to explain or pitch their research in three minutes to a non-specialist audience using only one static slide. VCU is one of 900 universities across 85 countries to participate in the event started by the University of Queensland in 2008 which judges students on the comprehension and content as well as their engagement and communication. 

VCU awards a monetary prize to the top 3 finalists and a People’s Choice winner chosen by the audience. This year’s winner, Sagun Poudel, a PhD student in the School of Pharmacy shared her groundbreaking research that she has been working on with her advisor, Dr. Qingguo Xu. Together they are developing innovative, long-lasting microparticles based therapies for prevalent retinal diseases. Unlike the current standard, which requires multiple injections into the eye, they aim to create a system that can deliver medication to the back of the eye for at least six months with just a single injection. Sagun says that 3MT was a ‘perfect opportunity to reflect on the broader significance of [her] doctoral research.’ 

In addition to the support of their advisors, the preliminary judges provided finalists with constructive feedback that was shared with them prior to the finals to help them revise both their slide and talk. When reflecting on her role as a judge, Sociology Associate Professor Dr. Tara Stamm said, ‘As a judge, I get to observe the academic to professional transition first hand. I listen to how the students think about the work they’re doing which helps me consider curricular changes to the Sociology professionalization and proseminar courses. 3MT reframes the age-old tension between theory and practice to joyfully continuing to learn in a professional setting.’

Director of Professional Development, Dr. Erin Brown hopes that next year’s 3MT grows not only in the number of students, but the number of schools and disciplines represented. ‘3MT is not just about the competition. It is about honing lifelong communication skills,’ she cites. Sagun has some advice for students considering participating next year - ‘take a step back from the technical jargon. Rewrite your research in the most accessible way possible. Practice extensively with non-experts and colleagues, incorporate their feedback and focus on key elements such as pauses and emphasizing key points.’ That strategy paid off for Poudel who will represent VCU at the regional 3MT competition during the annual Southern Conference of Graduate Schools in March.