The Irish Universities Association (IUA) today held its annual Three Minute Thesis National Final. Competing for the national prize were seven PhD researchers, each the winner of their individual university competitions held throughout the year. We are delighted that Áine Gorman, from Cork University Business School, was awarded the Audience Choice Award. Áine presented her research on the Economic and Social Value of Community Healthcare Organisations, including the CRANN Centre.
Speaking about her win, Áine said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have won the Audience Choice Award at this year’s National IUA Three Minute Thesis competition. Presenting my research in such a concise and engaging way was both challenging and hugely rewarding. It’s a skill I’m so glad to have developed, and an important reminder of the value of communicating research beyond academia.
I would like to sincerely thank my supervisory team, the team at the CRANN Centre, and the wider CUBS and UCC community — with special thanks to my fellow PhD researchers — for their ongoing support. This recognition means a great deal to me.”
Professor Orla Lynch, Dean of Doctoral Studies at UCC, said:
“Áine’s success in the Three Minute Thesis competition is a remarkable achievement that highlights her ability to communicate complex research with clarity and impact. We are thrilled to see her hard work, and that of her supervisors, recognised at this prestigious event.
I also wish to express my sincere thanks to Dr Barry Monahan from the Department of Film and Media, who coached Áine in preparation for her final presentation.”
Áine’s PhD supervisor from the Department of Economics, Dr Ann Kirby, added:
“As one of her PhD supervisors, I am delighted to see Áine receive this well-deserved recognition for her innovative research evaluating the economic value of interventions for neuro-physical disability patients, including the Skills on Wheels programme. Her work is both impactful and timely, and she is an excellent representative of CUBS and UCC.”
The Three Minute Thesis concept was originally developed by the University of Queensland and is now replicated around the world. The competition supports graduate research students in developing their skills as confident and effective research communicators.
Participants are challenged to present their research in just three minutes, to a non-specialist audience, using only one slide. They must distil their niche subjects and intensive research into a clear, engaging presentation that both informs and entertains the general public.
The competition saw researchers compete from Dublin City University, Maynooth University, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Galway and University of Limerick.