3MT: three tips to help you prepare a winning presentation

Summary

Rosanna Stevens, winner and runner-up of the Trans Tasman 3 Minute Thesis competition, shares three tips for excelling in the competition. First, she advises participants to carefully consider their slide to enhance their speech. Second, Stevens emphasizes the importance of framing research in a way that connects to a broader societal impact. Lastly, she encourages participants to 'let it go' by trusting their preparation and enjoying the experience, highlighting the value of staying calm and focused during the presentation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Think about your slide carefully; it should support your presentation and help explain your research. Don't just choose a pretty picture; make it relevant and informative.
• 😀 Use visuals like diagrams or relevant illustrations to help the audience understand complex ideas and make your research more engaging.
• 😀 The 3-minute thesis is an opportunity to reflect on the bigger impact of your research. Consider how your work might contribute to society and the world beyond academia.
• 😀 Focus on communicating why your research is important to a lay audience and how it can create positive change in society.
• 😀 Use the 3-minute thesis as a platform to express your passion for your research, making sure the audience understands why it's meaningful to you.
• 😀 Think about how your research can change the world in a tangible way, even if it doesn't directly impact everyone’s life.
• 😀 Make sure your research presentation relates to the broader community and has a practical or societal implication.
• 😀 In the words of a Disney princess, 'Let It Go.' When you're on stage, let go of any self-doubt and focus on enjoying the experience.
• 😀 Let go of the extra dialogue in your head and rely on the preparation and practice you've done to help you present confidently.
• 😀 Practice visualizing yourself on stage to overcome any nervousness, imagining yourself speaking clearly and enjoying the moment.
• 😀 Accept that making mistakes is part of the learning process, and use them as opportunities to improve for your next presentation.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the 3-Minute Thesis competition?

The 3-Minute Thesis competition allows participants to present their research in a concise and accessible way to a lay audience, helping them communicate the significance of their work in just three minutes.

Why did Rosanna Stevens use a blank slide during her presentation?

Rosanna used a blank slide to convey that there was something in her research that the audience could not directly see, thus enhancing the understanding of her topic by using the slide to help communicate a key concept.

What is the importance of the visual aids used in a 3-Minute Thesis presentation?

Visual aids, such as diagrams or relevant pictures, can help explain complex ideas and make the research more engaging for the audience. They provide a visual representation of the research that complements the spoken words.

What is the second tip Rosanna Stevens gives for succeeding in the competition?

Rosanna's second tip is to think about how your research can impact the world, even in small ways. By framing your research as something that can contribute to society, you make it more relatable and compelling to a broader audience.

How does Rosanna Stevens describe her own research in the competition?

Rosanna explains that her research involves writing a novel, and through it, she aims to explore and address societal issues, particularly those related to cultural and racial equality in Australia.

What is meant by 'changing or saving the world' in the context of the 3-Minute Thesis competition?

'Changing or saving the world' refers to the idea that participants should consider the broader implications of their research and be able to communicate its significance not just academically, but also in terms of its societal impact.

Why does Rosanna Stevens emphasize the importance of letting go during the presentation?

Rosanna emphasizes letting go to encourage speakers to trust their preparation and overcome nervousness. She suggests focusing on the experience and embracing any mistakes as part of the journey, which helps to deliver a more genuine and confident presentation.

What is the strategy Rosanna Stevens suggests for overcoming nervousness during the presentation?

Rosanna recommends practicing imagining the presentation in your mind, visualizing being on stage, and treating it like a live performance to help calm nerves and prepare for any surprises during the actual presentation.

What role does passion play in the 3-Minute Thesis competition?

Passion is crucial in the competition as it helps the presenter connect with the audience. By showing why the research is meaningful to them personally, speakers can engage the audience emotionally, making the topic more compelling.

What can participants do to ensure they have a successful 3-Minute Thesis presentation?

Participants should carefully plan their presentation, choose appropriate visual aids, clearly communicate the relevance of their research, and approach the presentation with confidence and authenticity, trusting in their preparation.