Learning to convey complex ideas

Graduate researchers from the Nossal Institute for Global Health recently showcased their PhD projects in competitions designed to help new researchers learn to convey their complex ideas concisely to non-specialist audiences.

Three-minute thesis competition

In celebration of International Youth Day, Alya Hazfiarini, Philcy Philip, and Jack Ganbaatar competed in a Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition at an event co-hosted by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), the Burnett Institute and the Nossal Institute. Using only a single slide, our graduate researchers had just three minutes to communicate the significance of their research. All three succeeded in distilling their complex ideas into a clear and engaging format. Philcy Philip presentation on strategies to improve oral health among children and adolescents with Intellectual disabilities in rural Karnataka, India was awarded second place.

The No-Bell Prize competition

Sandra Frans was selected to present her work exploring Indonesian midwives’ role in cervical cancer prevention in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Science hosted "No Bell" competition. This faculty-wide event required participants to share their research and field probing questions from a panel of judges with a focus on avoiding jargon – all without the aid of visual aids. Sandra's successful navigation of these challenges highlights the strong public speaking abilities fostered by the Nossal Institute's graduate programs.

The ability to explain complex research clearly and avoiding technical jargon is crucial for ensuring findings can be understood and applied by policymakers, health practitioners, and the general public. "We are immensely proud of our students' achievements at these events," said Professor Cathy Vaughan, Director, Nossal Institute. "Being able to communicate research concisely and accessibly is a vital skill. These competitions provide invaluable experience in creatively conveying key ideas and their importance."

The Nossal Institute is excited to see the next generation of researchers making their mark. They exemplify how investing in global health leadership today can drive real change and improve lives worldwide.