Getting started
Welcome
Outline of formalities
Induction
Connecting with Deakin's HDR community
During candidature
Key milestones
Preparing your candidature agreement
What is confirmation?
ESOS - Education Services for Overseas Students
Guide to candidature
Forms and guidelines
Presentations
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Changes during candidature
Annual review
Ethics
Intellectual property
Prizes and awards
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General support services
Scholarship opportunities
Training and workshops
Advice on completing a PhD or other research degree
Travel support
Your thesis and examination
Thesis structure - options
Advice on writing up
Examination procedures
HDR Examinations
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Life after HDR
Advice for life after the PhD
Careers advice

Three Minute Thesis Competition

What is it?

It is an exercise in developing academic and research communication skills. Higher degrees by research students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis topic and its significance in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience.

The top two contestants from each Faculty will go into the University final
The Deakin winner will receive $2000, with $1000 going to the runner-up and $500 going to the Peoples Choice awarded by the audience
The winner will be sponsored to travel to University of Queensland on 11th October to represent Deakin in the Australasian competition, in which there are even more substantial prizes ($5000 for the winner)
Robyn Williams of The Science Show has agreed to feature the Deakin university winner on his program.

More information on the Australasian final can be found at the University of Queensland website

Why do it?

We are sure many of you have learned by now, it is always handy to be prepared when faced with the inevitable "so what is your thesis about?" questions from curious family and friends (who often want the three minute version, not the extended one).

This is an invaluable opportunity to practise your communication skills in a supportive environment and it gives you the chance to distil the essence of your research into a succinct and engaging soundbite.

And of course, there will be some extremely generous prizes on offer, our winner will also be flown to Brisbane to represent Deakin at the Australasian final.

Who is eligible to enter?

Anyone who is actively enrolled in a PhD, DPsych or research Masters program at Deakin University (including candidates whose thesis is under examination). Graduands and graduates are not eligible.

Rules

A single PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions are permitted)
No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted
No additional props (e.g. costumes, instruments [musical, laboratory etc]) are permitted
Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding 3 minutes will be disqualified
The decision of the adjudicating panel is final

Judging Criteria

Communication style: was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience?
Comprehension: did the presentation help the audience understand the research?
Engagement: did the oration make the audience want to know more?

Key Dates

The Deakin competition will be organised into a round of heats conducted by Schools, semi-finals conducted by Faculties, and a university final conducted by the Institute of Research Training.

Business and Law semi final- Thursday 31 May at 1.30pm in room lb3.323 (B)

Health semi final- Friday 8th June at 10.00am in LT5 B3.07 (B)

Arts and Education semi final- Wednesday 6^th June at 12.00pm in room B2.20 (B)

Science and Technology semi final- Wednesday 6^th June at 3.00pm, Room TBC

Institute for Frontier Materials Winner - Tristan Simons ( “Sun to Socket: The Zinc-Air rechargeable battery”)

Deakin University final - Friday 29th June, 2012

Australasian final in Queensland - Thursday 11 October, 2012

How to enter:

Applications for entering the competition can be found here (25 KB). These applications must be returned to research-hdr@deakin.edu.au by 5pm 23rd April 2012. All entrants will receive a free 3-minute thesis tee-shirt. Entrants must be available to contest the University final and the Australasian final.

Further information:

Enquiries about School and Faculty competition dates, please contact Robyn Ficnerski (Arts and Education), Gloria Stevenson (Business and Law), Jane Moschetti (HMNBS) and Michael Hobbs (Science and Technology)