Frankie Greenwood wins University 3MT

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School of Health PhD students Frankie Greenwood and Niamh MacSweeney both represented the School at the University Finals on Thursday 27^th June. They gave engaging, through-provoking presentations of their research against the 3-minute timer. 

Frankie's performance saw her crowned competition winner, meaning she will represent the School and the University at the UK finals next month.

The 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition requires doctoral researchers to compete to deliver the best research presentation in just 3 minutes (and one slide). It is based on a concept developed by the University of Queensland which quickly spread across Australia and New Zealand, and has gone global.

It was a real privilege to present alongside all of the other University finalists last week and to learn about their research. I am stunned, but delighted to have won first prize and look forward to representing the University at the UK semi finals later this month.

Frankie Greenwood

Hear more from Frankie about her experience of the competition and studying with us:

"I’m currently in the 4^th year of my PhD in the School of Health in Social Science and writing up my thesis. My research explores the stories of people who have made meaningful connections with people in the more advanced stages of dementia who no longer use words to communicate. People in the late stages of dementia are often portrayed in our society as those who are fading away, becoming a shadow of themselves. These narratives can contribute to a sense of isolation and in some instances poor care. The aim of my research was to explore counter stories that could speak back to these dehumanising narratives and to make visible the whole humanity of the person with advanced dementia.

Doing a PhD is a complex and multi-layered process and sometimes it’s difficult to explain to others in a clear message what it is you research, why it’s important and what you have found.

Entering and preparing for the 3MT has allowed me to focus on the important and humanising message about people with advanced dementia that came out of my research interviews. It has given me the opportunity to share that message in a way that is accessible and relevant for a wide audience. It has also been a great help as I write up my thesis as it has kept my focus on what is important."