Could you explain your life’s work in 180 seconds?
It’s often the first question asked at a social gathering, right after the introductions and small talk.
“So, what do you do?”
For some – especially those who have devoted their lives to that which is difficult to understand – answering the question can be a real challenge.
That’s not the case for at least 19 graduate students from across Ontario who will take part in a unique contest at McMaster on Thursday afternoon.
The students will compete in the provincial championship of the Three Minute Thesis competition, which challenges participants to summarize their life’s work in just 180 seconds.
Competitors will pitch their work to an eclectic panel of non-academic judges, including Rob Baker, guitarist for rock band The Tragically Hip, Peter Dyakowski, offensive lineman for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Annette Hamm, co-host of local newscast CHCH Morning Live.
McMaster’s representative, environmental and Earth sciences student Michelle Reid, says she’s looking forward to the challenge.
“I’ve participated in a number of different conferences and science fairs, but prior to 3MT, I had never presented my research to an audience outside of my specialty,” she said. “It’s a fantastic experience for students who would like to strengthen their communication skills. After speaking with people in my area of research, I realized that it’s not always enough to be great at what you do. Employers want people who can effectively communicate research.”
Allison Sekuler, associate vice-president and Dean of Graduate Studies, is looking forward to hosting the second annual event. The inaugural competition took place at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
“The 3MT is a competition, but more importantly, it’s an opportunity for graduate students to refine their communication skills, and to distill their research into a clear message that’s understandable to anyone.”
The public is welcome at the event, which happens April 24 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Alumni Memorial Hall. It will also be live-streamed on the Daily News.
