UCD PhD Candidate Melissa Kinch Shines at National Three Minute Thesis Competition
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UCD is proud to congratulate third-year PhD candidate Melissa Kinch who, on Wednesday 13th November, represented the university at the prestigious Three Minute Thesis national competition. While Melissa did not claim the top prize, her performance in the highly competitive event was a remarkable achievement and a testament to her exceptional communication skills and dedication to her research.
Melissa, who won the UCD-wide competition earlier this year, advanced to represent the college at the IUA National Three Minute Thesis event, where she competed alongside eight other doctoral candidates from universities across Ireland. The Three Minute Thesis challenge asks participants to present the significance and findings of their research in just three minutes, using only one slide to convey their message to a non-specialist audience.
Reflecting on her experience, Melissa described how the competition helped her refine her ability to communicate complex research in an accessible way: "I was delighted to participate in this competition. I have improved my ability to communicate my research in an entertaining, engaging, and interactive way - a skill that I will take with me throughout my career. I have thoroughly enjoyed the process and would encourage all other postgraduate researchers to take the leap and give it a go if you get the chance!"
Looking ahead, Melissa is now preparing to represent UCD on the global stage at the U21 Global Thesis In 3 competition. She is excited for the opportunity to showcase her research to a broader audience, gain new perspectives, and continue developing her professional network.
We are incredibly proud of Melissa’s achievements and the dedication she has shown in advancing her research. Her success in the Three Minute Thesis competition highlights the innovative and impactful research taking place at UCD, and we look forward to seeing where her work and talent take her next.
Well done Melissa!