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Enhancing Postgraduate Environments

The aim of the project is to support institutional development of postgraduate environments. This platform is a work in progress.

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About EPE

The DPGS (transition to) School of Graduate Studies (D/SPGS) has been part of the ongoing Enhancing Postgraduate Environments (EPE) project since its inception in December 2015 when 12 consortium partner institutions met for the first time at Stellenbosch University. The EPE project is a broad-reaching project that uses the strengths of the respective partners as a starting point for planning interventions that could enhance postgraduate environments. It is a collaboration between 6 South African Universities and 6 European Universities with the consortium project leader being Vrije Universiteit (Amsterdam). The project is funded by the European Union and falls under the Capacity Building in Higher Education- umbrella of the Erasmus+ Program... Click here for EPE Program

Write for your audience

Avoid jargon and academic language.

Explain concepts and people important to your research - you may know all about Professor Smith’s theories but your audience may not.

Highlight the outcomes of your research, and the desired outcome.

Imagine that you are explaining your research to a close friend or fellow student from another field.

Convey your excitement and enthusiasm for your subject.

Tell a story

You may like to present your 3MT as a narrative, with a beginning, middle and end.

It’s not easy to condense your research into three minutes, so you may find it easier to break your presentation down into smaller sections.

Try writing an opener to catch the attention of the audience, then highlight your different points, and finally have a summary to restate the importance of your work.

Have a clear outcome in mind

Know what you want your audience to take away from your presentation.

Try to leave the audience with an understanding of what you’re doing, why it is important, and what you hope to achieve.

Revise

Proof your 3MT presentation by reading it aloud, to yourself and to an audience of friends and family.

Ask for feedback.

Ask your audience if your presentation clearly highlights what your research is about and why it is important.

Rules

Before you start work on your slide, you should take the following rules into account:

One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted;

No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are permitted;

Your slide is to be presented from the beginning of your oration; and

No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.

Suggestions

You may like to consider some of the following suggestions

Less is more: text and complicated graphics can distract your audience – you don’t want them to read your slide instead of listening to your 3MT

Personal touches: personal touches can allow your audience to understand the impact of your research.

Creativity drives interest: do not rely on your slide to convey your message – it should simply complement your oration.

Work your message: think about how your slide might be able to assist with the format and delivery of your

An engaging visual presentation can make or break any oration, so make sure your slide is legible, clear and concise.

Practice, practice, practice

Feeling nervous before you present is natural, and a little nervousness can even be beneficial to your overall speech. Nonetheless, it is important to practice so you can present with confidence and clarity. Practicing will also help you gauge the timing of your 3MT so that you keep within the time limit

Vocal range

Speak clearly and use variety in your voice (fast/slow, loud/ soft).

Do not rush – find your rhythm.

Remember to pause at key points as it gives the audience time to think about what you are saying.

Body language

Stand straight and confidently.

Hold your head up and make eye contact.

Never turn your back to the audience.

Practise how you will use your hands and move around the stage. It is okay to move around energetically if that is your personality, however it is also appropriate for a 3MT presentation to be delivered from a single spot on stage.

Do not make the common mistakes of rolling back and forth on your heels, pacing for no reason or playing with your hair as these habits are distracting for the audience.

Record yourself

Record and listen to your presentation to hear where you pause, speak too quickly or get it just right.

Then work on your weaknesses and exploit your strengths.

Look to the stars!

Watch your role models such as academics, politicians and journalists, and break down their strengths and weaknesses.

Analyse how they engage with their audience.

View presentations by previous 3MT finalists.

Dress

There is no dress code, if you are unsure of how to dress you may like to dress for a job interview or an important meeting. It is important that you feel comfortable so you can focus on your presentation.

If you are presenting on a stage that has a wooden floor, be aware of the noise your footwear might make.

Do not wear a costume of any kind as this is against the rules (as is the use of props).

Eligibility & Enroll

1.
A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.

2.
No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.

3.
No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.

4.
Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.

5.
Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).

6.
Presentations are to commence from the stage.

7.
Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.

8.
The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

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