On Tuesday 25 June, ANU College of Business and Economics (CBE) higher degree research (HDR) candidates competed in the College's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.
Held annually, 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Participants are given just three minutes and a single PowerPoint slide to explain in plain language what their research is, why it’s important and what they have discovered so far.
“The 3MT competition provides a unique platform for HDR students to communicate their research findings and demonstrate their significance to the public,” says Associate Professor Steven Wu, CBE’s Director of HDR.
This year, HDR candidate Lucy Hu from the ANU Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Statistics won CBE’s 3MT with her work, Income-Contingent Loans for Women Experiencing Partner Violence.
“I am deeply honoured to have won. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my research and hard work being recognised in such a meaningful way,” says Lucy.
In her presentation, Lucy proposed income-contingent loans to address the crucial social issue of financial hardship that can face women experiencing partner violence.
“This is a way to provide women with financial independence to escape abusive situations and rebuild their lives,” she says.
“It has broad policy implications, promoting an innovative approach to social welfare that can be adapted across various socio-economic contexts.”
Lucy entered 3MT to help overcome the fear of public speaking, as well as learn how to communicate her PhD research to a general audience. She had success on both fronts, and recommends entering the competition.
“My confidence in advocating for impactful societal issues has been boosted. This experience taught me the importance of clear communication skills, and helped me transform complex research concepts into engaging, understandable content that resonates with people outside my field,” Lucy shares.
“It's an invaluable experience for anyone looking to make the research more accessible and impactful.”
HDR Candidate Helen Ping from the ANU Research School of Accounting was runner-up for her presentation, When Regulatory Oversight does not Work.
For Helen, who has been a keen audience member at 3MT final events since she was an undergraduate student, the experience of participating in the competition herself was a full circle moment – and one that she also suggests to others.
“It is a great honour to have this opportunity,” says Helen.
“I would highly recommend 3MT because it allows you to translate your research into plain language, develop your public speaking and communication skills, and provides you with the platform to network with PhD candidates from other schools and colleges.”
Steven commended both presenters for their achievement.
“Lucy and Helen were outstanding. Congratulations to both for delivering such informative and engaging presentations in just three minutes,” he says.
You can support Lucy at the ANU 3MT finals on Thursday 25 July, where she will compete against the other College finalists for the chance to represent ANU at the Asia-Pacific finals, a virtual event hosted by the University of Queensland.
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