Big ideas, short talks: Our 3MT finalists impress

We are excited to celebrate the outstanding achievements of three of our Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students, Kritty Ghosh, Vivian Lobo, and Simon Savage, who excelled in this year’s Torrens University Australia Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, in August.

The 3MT is a dynamic international competition that challenges PhD candidates to communicate the core and significance of their research in only three minutes, using everyday language and a single PowerPoint slide.

Initially developed by the University of Queensland, the 3MT has expanded into a global event celebrating research communication. The competition encourages Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students nearing the final stages of their PhD studies to simplify complex ideas into engaging stories that connect with a general audience.

There’s no room for jargon or lengthy academic explanations. Just a powerful, concise pitch that answers one key question:

Why does this research matter?

Each university hosts its own internal competition, with the winner progressing to the prestigious Asia-Pacific 3MT Final, held annually at the University of Queensland. This regional event brings together top presenters from universities across Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asia, and North-East Asia.

“The 3MT is more than a competition; it’s a platform for students to improve their communication skills, gain confidence, and spark greater interest in their research. This year, our HDR community at Torrens University Australia truly rose to the occasion.”

Professor Margee Hume, Dean, Centre for Higher Degrees by Research

From our eleven exceptional finalists, congratulations to the following students:

• Simon Savage was selected as the Overall Winner by the judging panel for his compelling presentation, Unearthing ‘The Collections of The Brooking’: Essences of Architecture, a Lexicon of Time and Place. Simon will now represent us at the Asia-Pacific 3MT Competition, and we are excited to support him as he takes this next step on the national stage.
• Kritty Ghosh captivated the audience and was voted the People’s Choice Winner for her insightful presentation, Understanding Emotional Labour of Neurodiverse Hospitality Employees: Phenomenological Insights. Her ability to connect with the audience showcased the strength and empathy behind her research.
• Vivian Lobo received the Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation for his thoughtful and timely presentation on Barriers and Challenges for Pivoting Towards Online Learning for HEP and International Students, reflecting the relevance and impact of his work in today’s educational landscape.

We are incredibly proud of all our Higher Degree by Research students who participated in the finals. Their dedication, creativity, and ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity are genuinely commendable. We also sincerely thank the supervisors and staff whose support continues to guide our students on their research journeys.

Please join us in congratulating Kritty, Vivian, and Simon on their well-earned success. We look forward to seeing Simon represent Torrens University Australia at the Asia-Pacific competition and wish all three continued excellence in their research and upcoming presentations.