Postgraduate research students at the University of Newcastle will this week explain their fields of study in just three minutes.

The 17 students are finalists in the University’s round of the national/trans-Tasman Three Minute Thesis competition, an event developed to help research students with their academic and presentation skills.

Students need to explain their research thesis – which can take up to four years to complete – to a non-specialist audience in just 180 seconds.

The competition attracted around 80 entrants from all faculties of the University. The 17 finalists will present on a wide range of topics including weight loss, climate change, ancient Jordanian paintings, breast cancer and mental health in pregnancy.

Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of Newcastle, Professor Scott Holmes, said the competition encouraged students to step outside of their research.

“The students need to focus on what is really important and interesting about the work that they do,” he said.

“After years considering and developing their research thesis, they have to break it down into an easily digestible form and present it in a way that captures attention.”

Finalists will be judged by last year’s Newcastle winner and national/trans-Tasman runner-up Gabrielle Briggs; The Herald Editor Roger Brock; the Honourable Joel Fitzgibbon, Federal Member for Hunter; and Professor Scott Holmes, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of Newcastle.

The Newcastle winner will receive $1,500 towards their research and compete against students from 32 other universities at the national/trans-Tasman final in Perth next month.

The national prize is $5,000.

Photo opportunity: The final of the University of Newcastle Three Minute Thesis competition will be held on Wednesday 10 August 2011 from 10am in the Nursing lecture theatre, Richardson Wing, room RW149.

For interviews: Professor Scott Holmes on 02 4921 8604.