The 3MT® is a research communication competition, which challenges our PhD Researchers to present their thesis in just 3 minutes, using non-specialist language.
The final saw eight PhD researchers compete to be named 3MT® winner and to represent Ulster University in the UK Semi-Final of the national competition hosted by Vitae.
This year’s 3MT winner is Oluwashina Akinsanmi, a PHD researcher from the School of Geography and Environmental Science with his thesis ‘Antibiotic Resistance Crisis: The Sawdust Redemption’.
Speaking on the win, Oluwashina Akinsanmi said:
"Winning the Three Minute Thesis competition has been a life-changing experience for me. This process has not just been a competition, but a personal growth curve for me, from the initial stage to this moment. I would like to thank my supervisors, friends and family for their inestimable support.
Also, I would like to appreciate the hard work of other finalists, as their hard work gave the judges a challenging decision to make."
The Final was hosted by presenter Sarah Travers and the judging panel included Vice-Chancellor Professor Paddy Nixon Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan (Pro Vice Chancellor, Research and Impact), Professor Marie Murphy (Dean of Postgraduate Research and Director of Doctoral College), Tim Brundle (Director of Research and Impact) and Will Leitch (BBC).
As his prize, Oluwashina received a prize of £750, with the Runner Up Fathimath Naseer from NICHE in the Faculty of Life Health Sciences collecting a prize of £250. The People’s Choice Award was decided by the audience on the night and presented to Angelina Thomas Villikudathil from the NI Centre for Stratified Medicine in the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences.
Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan, Pro-Vice Chancellor of (Research and Impact) who was on the judging panel said:
“For the second year in a row, I have been blown away by the talent of our PhD Researchers, by the ease with which they communicated complex ideas, by the passion they demonstrated for their research, and by their powerful and profound delivery in just 3 minutes! Every single finalist was quite simply outstanding. Seriously #ProudofU and #ProudofUU.”
Professor Marie Murphy, Dean of Postgraduate Research and Director of Doctoral College said:
“Once again our PhD researchers from across the university have embraced the challenge of communicating their research to a lay audience. This year’s 3MT final has showcased the breadth and quality of research being undertaken by our PhD researchers.
All 8 finalists impressed the judging panel with their ability to convey the impact of their work a lay audience in a 3-minute pitch. It was difficult to choose a winner from such an impressive line-up and in the Doctoral College we are immensely proud of all the competitors in this year’s competition.”