The University of Otago is continuing its success at national and international Three Minute Thesis competitions.
Two of the University’s competitors picked up the People’s Choice award at the 2021 Matariki Network of Universities 3MT competition and a Highly Commended award at the National Universities 3MT Masters Competition.
Tourism PhD candidate, Patrick Boudreau was named the winner of the People’s Choice award in the 2021 Matariki Network of Universities Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition. This is the third year in a row Otago has won this award.
Patrick competed against fellow Otago PhD candidate Pradeesh Parameswaran and 11 others from Dartmouth, Durham, Queen’s, Tübingen, Uppsala and University of Western Australian universities.
He said it was an award for his research participants and the numerous communities that supported him throughout the 3MT process.
“Adventure sports have helped me through the grueling journey that is a PhD. My hope is that my research will help more people to safely venture on their own adventurous journey and reap the benefits of the great outdoors for themselves,” Patrick said.
Patrick’s thesis investigates the integrated model of flow and clutch optimal psychological states in the context of adventure recreation
Additionally, master’s student Giverny Forbes (Zoology) received the Highly Commended award at the National Universities 3MT Masters Competition at Waikato University recently. Her research is investigating the perceived impacts of human-leopard seal cohabitation in New Zealand and the goal is to support the wellbeing of both.
Graduate Research School Manager, Andrew Lonie says the University is consistently producing high quality and engaging Three Minute Thesis presentations, as evidenced by Otago finalists’ further success at national and international competitions.
“Giverny and Patrick have performed extremely well to maintain this record this year,” he said.
“Otago candidates are clearly recognised by wider audiences as well as judges, picking up People’s Choice awards with particular frequency.
“Most pleasing of all, has been how professional and supportive of each other our 3MT candidates are, no matter what stages of the competitions they have reached.”
