Jodie Mills, PhD Researcher from the School of Health Sciences, has been named as the winner of the Ulster University Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition.
Hosted each year by the Doctoral College, the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition invites PhD researchers to share their work and its impact in just three minutes - using clear, accessible language for a non-specialist audience.
Now in its ninth year, this year’s final featured eight outstanding candidates, each bringing not only the depth of their research to the stage, but also the confidence and clarity to make even the most complex ideas engaging and easy to understand.
What the judges said
The judges praised all finalists for showcasing not only the quality of research, but the remarkable ability of each finalist to make complex ideas accessible and meaningful.
Beyond the research itself, the judges were particularly impressed by the confidence and professionalism demonstrated by all participants. All expressing pride in the calibre, creativity, and impact of the next generation of researchers at Ulster.
Congratulations to the Winner - Jodie Mills
Jodie's exceptional presentation focused on the novel treatment of Parkinson’s Disease, a condition that 1 in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed with. Her research explores whether Alexa can support speech therapy, ensuring that those living with the conditions retain their speech and their connections.
Jodie will now go on to represent Ulster University in the UK-wide 3MT quarter-finals later this year.
Congratulations to the Runners-Up and People’s Choice Award Winner
The University is also proud to recognise the Runner-up and People’s Choice Award winners for their excellent presentations and compelling research:
Runner-up Award Varsha Natarajan
Varsha’s PhD research investigates how sand moves on Mars to support future exploration, combining fieldwork in California with data modelling to recreate Martian conditions. By predicting wind speeds and sand movement, the research helps identify safe landing sites, contributing to future space missions and the potential of Mars as a long-term option for human exploration.
People's Choice Award Jamie-Marie McNulty
Jamie’s research explores how neurodivergent young people access mental health support, noting that they are more likely to experience mental health issues in their lifetime. Her work highlights that traditional support systems often fall short and works directly with young people to design more effective, accessible digital mental health services.
2026 3MT Finalists – Spotlight on Research Impact
This year’s competition highlighted the diverse, impactful work taking place across our PhD community and Ulster is proud to celebrate all the finalists:
Atish Gawale - School of Architecture and the Built Environment
When a Hydrogen Tank Ruptures: How a Barrier Helps
Julie Graham - School of Psychology
One Loss, One in Five Futures: The Psychological and Academic Impact of Student Bereavement
Tabassum Islam - School of Arts and Humanities
Excluded Yet Resilient: South Asian Filmmakers in the UK Film Industry
Jamie-Maria McNulty - School of Psychology
Can Help Really Be Just One Click Away?
Jodie Mills - School of Health Sciences
Living with Parkinson's: Can Alexa be your Speech Therapist?
Clement Momoh - School of Biomedical Sciences
One Simple Steak Swap: Lifelong Benefits
Varsha Natarajan - School of Geography and Environmental Sciences
How Earth's Sand Dunes Can Take You to Mars?
Kazi Lutfar Rahman - School of Biomedical Sciences
From Flare to Fair: Balancing Health for Better Psoriasis Treatment
Lisa Thompson from the Doctoral College has been leading the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition since 2018 at Ulster University.
Lisa commented:
“The 3MT is a truly inspiring event that shines a spotlight on the remarkable work of our PhD Researchers. It celebrates not only the depth and diversity of their research but also helps them develop the confidence and clarity needed to communicate their ideas effectively.
“The competition offers a supportive environment where participants can refine how they share why their work matters. It’s always fantastic to see how much they grow through the process, finding ways to express the real-world impact of their research. Watching that journey unfold is incredibly rewarding and I’m proud of everyone who took part.”
Best of luck to Jodie Mills as she represents Ulster University at the UK Vitae Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition quarter-final stages.
Find out more:
Read more about Ulster’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) | Festival of PhD Research or visit Vitae 3MT® 2026 - Vitae for more information on the UK final.
