The University of Kent recently hosted its annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, an event that highlights the innovative spirit and academic excellence within the institution. The 3MT competition challenges postgraduates to present a compelling spoken presentation on their research and its significance in just three minutes. This year’s competition was absolutely outstanding, bringing out the diverse and revolutionary work being conducted by the university’s researchers.

The competition showcased the remarkable work of Olasunkanmi Arowolo, Centre for Journalism, the runner-up, whose research explores the role of traditional media and social media in the context of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) in Nigeria, specifically focusing on the press and social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

Emerging as the winner of the competition was Becky McNeill, School of Psychology, whose presentation topic was “An exploration of the Compositional Explanatory Theory of Paedophilia”. Becky’s innovative approach could help shape treatment for those convicted of sexual offences against children, and provide better understanding and support for those who do not act on their interests.

The 3MT competition at the University of Kent is more than just a contest; it is a celebration of innovation and knowledge where postgraduates have a fantastic opportunity to cultivate academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition is a reminder of the astounding potential within the academic community and the importance of sharing knowledge and expertise in ways that inspire the world around us.