• Eight Charles Sturt finalists to present their research in three minutes at 3MT finals in Wagga Wagga

Are you ready to watch PhD students try and change the world in only three minutes?

Charles Sturt University is hosting the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Final, a competition where PhD candidates explain their in-depth research topics in just three minutes, at The Riverina Playhouse in Wagga Wagga

Thousands of PhD candidates from across the world, including from Charles Sturt, explain to a non-expert audience the premise of their research using just one PowerPoint slide.

Students from across all faculties and disciplines will share exciting research projects that are helping build stronger, healthier and more resilient communities.

The winner will present their research at the Asia Pacific final in October.

Research topics to be featured at the final include:

• Joachim Bretzel in the School of Agricultural, Environment and Veterinary Sciences - Fish protection screening at irrigation diversions in the Murray-Darling Basin, with the Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment
• Richard Carroll in the School of Education - Why is the high school IT ‘Crowd’ becoming an empty room?
• Nyadoub Jok in the School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences - Sorghum: an ancient grain with chemopreventative potential
• Lauren Stoot in the School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences - Using fish ears as passports to understand movement in a coastal river system, with the Gulbali Institute
• Sarah Smorhun in the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security - Returning to crowded places
• Nicholas McFadyen in the School of Psychology - Living in a dangerous world: How early life experiences shape attentional biases towards negative stimuli
• Borkwei Nignpense in the School of Dentistry and Medical Science - Antioxidants in Grains and Guts
• Jaymie Loy with the School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences - Just how safe is playing it safe with hormones?

Charles Sturt Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Michael Friend said the competition is beneficial for the finalists and the public.

“Charles Sturt University is committed to research projects that have real world impact and address topical issues being faced across regional Australia,” he said.

“3MT gives candidates a chance to break down their research in a way that is easy to understand for people who don’t have a technical background. It is so important for students to be able to present their research in a language that can be understood by everyone.

“The competition is also a great opportunity for members of the public to learn about the impactful research that is occurring at Charles Sturt University.”

The 3MT final will be held on Thursday 14 July from 5pm for a 5.30pm start at The Riverina Playhouse. Commercial Manager at Region Media Mr Adam Drummond will be the MC. The free event is open to the public and concludes at 7pm with drinks and refreshments to follow.

Tickets are available via the Eventbrite website and the link for the livestream will be emailed 24 hours prior to the event. The event will also be live streamed for those who cannot attend in person.