byTori Zeidler,third year journalism student.

A full audience of friends and family was present to support the 19 finalists competing in Griffith’s Three Minute Thesis Final (3MT).

The winner would win not only the Griffith title but also the chance to compete inthe UQ Trans-Tasman finals on Friday (2nd October).

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Martin Betts said that the 3MT had become an invaluable professional development opportunity in the Twitter age.

“It’s never been more important to effectively communicate research outcomes to the wider community. In an age of distraction, complex ideas must cut through if they are to achieve the dividends they deserve,” Professor Betts said.

“Our finalists presented projects on a fascinating and diverse range of topics, but the common denominator was clear, concise communication.”

Professor Betts said the 3MT was the perfect way for the next generation of researchers to develop “an elevator pitch” that would encourage new collaborations within and outside the academy.

The overall winner on the night was Courtney Williams, from the Queensland Conservatorium, who presented a fantastic talk on Prescribing music for surgery and the wonderful calming effects music can have on pre-operative patients.

Courtney won a $1,000 research travel grant to go towards her thesis.

The runner-up prize of $750 was awarded to Georgia Tobiano, from the school of Nursing and Midwifery, who presented her Three Minute Thesis on Patient participation in nursing care.

David Harman took out the people’s choice award which saw him walk away with $500 towards his research thesis about Epidemic modelling: Dealing with uncertainty.

Dean of Griffith Graduate Research School, Professor Sue Berners-Price, also praised the 3MT for being such a wonderful event for the research community to get involved with.

“It gives our higher degree researchers and honours students the chance to interact with their peers and develop contacts as well as the opportunity to get involved and potentially with the $1,000 research travel grant,” Professor Berners-Price said.

Professor Berners-Price said the task of choosing one winner out of 19 exceptional entrants was always challenging as all the competitors presented such compelling research theses.

“I am honoured to have played a part in the Griffith University 2015 three minute thesis and look forward to seeing what we can produce next year.”