Award-winning presenter of research in three minutes
Princess Cabotaje. Photo: Private.
How do you present your research topic in the clearest and most inspiring way possible to a wide audience - in three minutes? Princess Cabotaje, winner of last year’s Three Minute Thesis competition, knows.
On 21 March, as a PhD student you can participate in this year's Uppsala University Three Minute Thesis competition. Princess Cabotaje, a research assistant at the Department of Chemistry - Ångström, won the 2024 total competition. She is now coaching this year’s competitors in a preparatory workshop on 7 March.
How did it feel to win the entire competition last year?
“I felt really proud to represent our work on that big stage. It felt like it showed that my research was really valuable in a highly active field. When I got picked as one of the three finalists representing Uppsala University, I was so humbled and grateful, knowing I was competing against an estimated pool of over a hundred exceptional PhD students in European universities of high international standard. And being the only finalist from the STEM fields was an even more remarkable achievement that I'm incredibly proud of.”
What was the most difficult thing about presenting your research in three minutes?
“Translating that technical jargon into something accessible to a general audience was definitely a challenge. I had to really think hard about how to simplify the complexities of the research into a clear, engaging story that would connect with a diverse, non-expert crowd.”
What do you get better at by being forced to stick to a maximum of three minutes?
“This challenge pushed me to sharpen my ability to share the gist of my work in a clear and captivating way. It forced me to prioritise the most crucial points, boil down complex ideas to their essentials, and convey the importance of my research succinctly yet compellingly.”
You are coaching at the workshop on 7 March. What knowledge and experience will you contribute there?
“I will break down the journey, strategies, and practical tips for crafting an award-winning Three Minute Thesis presentation. From writing an impactful script to designing eye-catching slides, and being mindful of your vocal delivery and body language to captivate your audience. Also, the insights into my journey, from winning the university-level competition to reaching the finals, and what happened after the competition.”
What is the most important thing for this year's participants to keep in mind?
“As the saying goes, "It's the journey, not the destination." The most important thing for this year's participants to keep in mind is to approach the Three Minute Thesis competition as a chance to polish their communication and storytelling skills, rather than just as a way to win. Personally, my main reason for participating was to enhance my science communication abilities. While the competitive side is thrilling, the real value lies in the process of boiling down your research into a clear, captivating narrative that can engage a non-specialist audience.”
What is your best tip for success?
“To keep an open mind and be receptive to feedback, especially from people outside of your academic circle; friends, family, and non-expert peers. Their fresh perspectives can be super helpful. Even if their feedback challenges how you initially approached it, just go with it. Accepting that input can only make your final presentation stronger. For example, using too many technical terms that your audience may not understand can make them tune out of your presentation.”
Johan Ahlenius