Topics ranging from developmental language disorders to understanding the role of colour in music notation and koala conservation were part of the 2022 instalment of Griffith University’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) presentation final.
Twelve current PhD confirmed candidates presented their research study summing up years of work of more than 80 thousand words into a succinct three minute ‘elevator pitch’ to the three-person judging panel.
Judges praised the high quality presentations from all candidates awarding top prize to Shaun Ziegenfusz from the School of Health Sciences and Social Work for his stunning summation of his thesis looking at Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
“It’s a hidden disability in Australian classrooms” said Shaun, who became the second Speech Pathology PhD student to take out the top award after Simone Howells was successful in 2018.
“Speech pathologists are excellent communicators so I very much enjoy presenting my research and shining a light on DLD which unfortunately sees one in 14 Australian school students affected by this language disorder.
Shaun now heads to the 3MT Asia-Pacific Final in October looking to become Griffith’s first ever winner of the regional decider.
The runner-up prize was awarded to Queensland Conservatorium’s Jacqui Cuny for her presentation ‘Searching for Synergy .. Finding the X factor’, while the People’s Choice Award (voted by the audience) was taken out by Tori Seydel from Department of Marketing (GBS) for her presentation on using social media tools and engagement to protect koala wildlife.
The full list of finalists were:
Jacqui Cuny from the Queensland Conservatorium with her presentation, ‘Searching for synergy… Finding the X factor!’
Peter Clark from the School of Health Sciences and Social Work and his presentation, ‘Making data standards, standard.’
Rebecca Cozens from the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources with her presentation, ‘Exploring the impact of online global experiences on students’ career identity.’
Michelle Hobbs from the School of Environment and Science with her presentation, ‘Are the clams happy? Why rivers need shellfish.’
Frankie Dyson Reilly from the Queensland Conservatorium and her presentation, ‘Colour music: understanding the role of colour in music notation.’
Chloe Hurrell from our School of Applied Psychology and her presentation, ‘From education to action: facilitating pro-environmental behaviour through virtual reality and mindfulness.’
Corie Duff from our Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources and his presentation, ‘Who holds the message stick to success.’
Melissa Hill from the School of Environment and Science with her presentation, ‘Brain traffic.’
Alena Kazmaly from the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science with her presentation, ‘Does language really shape your personality?’
Tori Seydel from the Department of Marketing and her presentation, ‘Let’s get ‘koala-fied’.’
Shaun Ziegenfusz from the School of Health Sciences and Social Work and his presentation, ‘Developmental Language Disorder (DLD): the hidden disability in Australian classrooms.’
Andria Ostrowski from the School of Environment and Science with her presentation, ‘Stress test: transforming multiple stressor science to better protect our coasts.’