Colleagues,

Last week PhD students from across UNE took part in the Three Minute Thesis competition which challenges them to communicate the significance of their projects in just a few minutes, and without the use of props or industry jargon.

I congratulate the nearly 80 candidates that participated in this year’s event at School and Finals competitions;  you provided a fantastic showcase of the excellence and diversity of UNE’s higher degree research.

This year Sarah Wayland, a PhD candidate from the School of Health, won the day with a presentation of her thesis, “The experience of hope for families of missing people,” to a full house at Lewis Lecture Theatre. Sarah Wayland is now off to the University of Western Australia for the Trans-Tasman 3MT Finals in November.

The UNE 3MT winner and runners up were as follows:
1st Sarah Wayland: “The experience of hope for families of missing people” (Health/Social Work)
2nd Marappulige Chaminda Gajanayaka Jayasinghe: “ Returned to Danger” focused on Australian policy of returning rejected asylum seekers to Sri Lanka (Humanities)
3rd Kristal Spreadborough: “Towards a New Method of Analysis for Vocal Timbre in Popular Song” (BCSS)
4th Lauren Humby: “Pawsitive Solutions: The symbiotic relationship between canine companions and ex-offenders” (BCSS)

Our 3MT competition is only possible through the enthusiastic participation of the Schools and the support from a range of busy people. Congratulations to all involved.

Particular thanks must go to Ms Rhonda Leece (MC) and the judges: A/Prof David Miron, Dr Eliza Kent,  Ms Judy Macdonald and Ms Stephanie Lloyd.  A big thank you also to Dr Philip Thomas and Ms Grace Jeffery (Research Services) in organizing the day.

Heiko Daniel
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research)