Defending a thesis is no small feat. It requires transforming complex research into a short and compelling narrative that a diverse audience can easily understand. An effective thesis defense calls for strong presentation skills.
We are going to explore a specific thesis format called the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT). It’s an academic competition in which doctoral students present their research in a 3-minute time frame. The competition was first held in 2008 at the University of Queensland in Australia becoming a great success.
This format is now used by universities around the globe. It’s an excellent opportunity for the students to practice their presentation skills, and let’s not forget about a monetary award, too.
Why has this format drawn our attention? First of all, because of the challenge. A student is asked to present the results of their academic research that took months or even years in just 3 minutes and to a broad audience—quite a challenge.
We thought that these thesis defenses could be valuable for improving presentation skills.
In this article, we will analyze five exemplary 3MT defenses, focusing on key presentation principles that make them stand out. We’ve chosen excellent presentations that can arm you with extra tools when you have to go on stage.
Thesis defense is one of many areas where you can use presentation principles. Check out our guide on creating great thesis defenses and another read on how presentation crafting skills can help you in academia in general, and you’ll be fully armed.
1. Thesis Defense by Maria Caluianu (UCL, London, UK)
Maria’s thesis is called “Getting a Molecular Train Back on its Tracks” and is devoted to a severe genetic disorder. She starts with a powerful anecdote where she asks the audience to imagine that they are having a baby. That immediately grabs the attention and tunes the audience in.
Presentation Principles in Action:
- Clarity and Simplicity: Maria uses simple language, making her research accessible to all. She breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand parts so the audience can follow along.
- Engagement through Narrative: By framing her presentation around a story, she engages the audience emotionally. Although storytelling is not as important for thesis defense, it can be useful and brings a personal touch to the academic ambiance.
- Effective Use of Visual Aids: Her slide is clean and minimalistic, complementing her narrative without distracting from her spoken words.
The 3MT format allows the use of only one slide. This presents an additional challenge for students. They must include all the critical elements on the slide without overwhelming it. Not an easy task.
We can offer a helping hand to tackle such complicated issues with our AI-powered slide designer. It will help with fitting the results of extensive research on a single slide and save time on content creation.
To be fair to Maria, she uses her slide skillfully to support the metaphor of the thesis title.
2. Thesis Defense by Nicole Free (Monash University, Melbourne, Australia)
Nicole Free’s presentation from the Department of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences is an excellent example of using presentation principles. Nicole also found interesting pictures to illustrate her research on vocal cord lesions.
Presentation Principles in Action:
- Conciseness and Clarity: Nicole’s defense is concise and to the point. She presents the subject of her study in an easy-to-understand way.
Even without any knowledge of human physiology, you can understand the purpose and the progress of her academic research. - Confident Delivery: Nicole speaks clearly and at a steady pace, which adds to the audience’s comprehension. Her confidence in material shines through which, in turn, instills confidence in the audience.
She uses the pitch of her own voice to illustrate her findings, bringing a little fun to the thesis defense.
3. Thesis Defense by Beatrice Chiew (Monash University, Melbourne, Australia)
Beatrice is a student of the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. In her ‘star’ presentation, she uses the analogy with “Star Wars” movies and talks about “SAR Wars: A Journey Through Chemical Space.”
Presentation Principles in Action:
- Relatable Content: Beatrice gives relatable examples and analogies to explain scientific concepts, making her presentation accessible to those unfamiliar with the subject. She explains the complex process of drug creation in ways that everyone can grasp the meaning.
- Structured Approach: Her presentation follows a clear and logical structure, guiding the audience through her research step-by-step.
4. Thesis Defense by Rob Duguid (Miami University, US)
Rob Duguid’s thesis defense on effects of the aerobic exercises on vascular function during sitting has a powerful opening and closing. Interactive techniques are not so common in thesis defenses, but in this case, they work like a charm.
Presentation Principles in Action:
- Attention-Grabbing Start: Rob starts with a surprising poll that captures attention immediately. This opening tactic is effective because it sets the stage for the importance of his research.
- Clear Messaging: Throughout his presentation, Rob emphasizes key messages repeatedly, ensuring that his main points are memorable.
- Memorable Conclusion: His conclusion ties back to the opening, creating a full-circle moment. He leaves the audience with a clear call to action, which makes his presentation impactful.
5. Thesis Defense by Fernando Sereno (UCL, London, UK)
Fernando is a student in the Department of Engineering Sciences, and his thesis is on vaccine development and production. His defense stands out due to his confident delivery and evident passion for his research.
Fernando’s enthusiasm is infectious, making the presentation enjoyable and engaging despite the complex nature of the subject.
Presentation Principles in Action:
- Passionate Delivery: Fernando’s enthusiasm for his subject is evident in his tone and body language. His passion not only keeps the audience engaged but also convinces them of the importance of his research.
- Clear Structure: He follows a clear structure, with a strong introduction, well-organized main points, and a concise conclusion. His presentation is easy to follow.
- Effective Use of Body Language: Fernando uses gestures to emphasize his points, making his presentation dynamic. His body seems relaxed and exudes confidence, which is critical as it helps persuade the audience of his expertise.
To conclude
These five examples of 3MT defenses highlight the importance of strong presentation skills in delivering research results.
Most key presentation principles are in action here, some to a larger extent than others.
Students participating in the 3MT project face a difficult task. They need to present the results of their academic research in a clear and understandable way, and not only that. They must make them accessible and engaging. In our examples, the contestants pass this test with flying colors.
It’s always a good idea to learn from the best. 3MT winners can give you a couple of cues to help improve your presentation skills.