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Episode show notes
Let's take a deep dive into the art of condensing complex research into presentations that are both concise and compelling. Dr. Agnes Mukurumbira — winner of the 2023 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Asia-Pacific Final and People's Choice — shares her journey to success and breaks down her winning presentation.
Agnes is the co-founder of the startup Food Protect and a researcher at Deakin University's CASS Food Research Center. She discusses how winning the 3MT has opened doors and shaped her career, and takes us through the storytelling techniques that have helped with her 3MT and beyond. We break down her 3MT moment-by-moment, pulling out practical takeaways you can apply to your own research communication.
Whether you're preparing for a competition like the 3MT, honing your elevator pitch, or simply looking to communicate your research more effectively to laypeople, this episode offers invaluable insights on making your work more accessible.
Our conversation covers:
The impact of winning the 3MT on Agnes's career and visibility as a researcher
Agnes’ process of preparing for the 3MT, including key storytelling techniques
Strategies for explaining complex scientific concepts to non-specialist audiences
How to structure a compelling short presentation
The importance of relatability and using analogies in science communication
Balancing technical details with broader impact in presentations
Tips for presenting to both live audiences and on camera
The value of the competitions like the 3MT in developing crucial science communication skills
Find Dr Agnes Mukurumbira online:
Practical tips from this episode:
Crafting your presentation:
Structure your presentation with a clear narrative arc, including characters (even non-human ones like packaging materials) and tension
Use relatable analogies to explain complex concepts (e.g., Agnes' chocolate truffle analogy for encapsulation)
Balance technical details with the 'why' of your research - focus on what's most relevant to your audience
Acknowledge the contributions of others, including historical figures, in your field
Targeting your comms/engagement:
Tailor your communication style to your audience, whether it's technical or non-technical
Use simple, familiar language and explain technical terms when necessary
Practice explaining your work to non-specialists, like family members, to gauge understanding
Presentation skills:
Adapt your presentation style for both live audiences and recorded settings
When presenting on camera, imagine an engaged audience to help maintain energy and enthusiasm
Credits:
Host & Producer: Chris Pahlow
Edited by: Laura Carolina Corrigan
Consulting Producers: Maia Tarrell, Michelle Joy
Music by: La Boucle and Blue Steel, courtesy of Epidemic Sound
- Public engagement
- Career development
- Knowledge mobilisation
- Team alignment
- Stakeholder/audience mapping
- Storytelling
- Leadership
- Strategic comms
- Community engagement
- Collaborating with professional staff
- Talks and presentations
- Making your work relatable
- Co-design
- Communicating in different formats/mediums
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Strategy
- Impact planning
- Behaviour change
- Your pitch
- Networking
