Graduate Research School Three Minute Thesis Visualise Your Thesis

Visualise Your Thesis

Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) is an international program that challenges higher degree by research candidates to present their research in a 60-second audio-visual explainer. The program provides an opportunity for participants to build essential information and digital literacy skills to effectively communicate complex research to a general audience. It also provide an opportunity for JCU to showcase the outstanding research conducted by our higher degree be research candidates of whom we are immensely proud.

Visit the VYT Figshare site to view past entries from around the country.

JCU VYT 2024

This is only the second time JCU has participated in this event, so we are extremely excited to be involved again!

Candidates who are interested in being involved are encouraged to attend the  coaching session which will be available online, delivered by Dr Tullio Rossi from Animate Your Science.

Entries should be prepared according to the rules and submitted to grs@jcu.edu.au 9am Monday 29 July 2024.

The videos will be judged confidentially, with the entries shown publicly at the at the JCU 3MT Final on 30 August 2024 where the winners will also be announced.

The JCU winner will have their entry submitted to the  2024 VYT International Competition.

As this is only the second time JCU has participated in this event, we are leaving the number of participants uncapped.

The Visualise Your Thesis 2024 programme is open to currently-enrolled MPhil, PhD or Professional Doctorate candidates at any stage of their candidature who are active and not on a leave of absence.

Not eligible to enter VYT are:

  • Honours students.
  • Masters by coursework students (even if their program has a research/thesis component).
  • Graduate researchers on a leave of absence (= inactive and not attending).
  • Lapsed candidates.
  • Graduate researchers who are employed by your university who may have, or may be perceived to have, influence over the outcome, research funding or related resourcing, or an otherwise unfair advantage over the other entrants from your university.

Entries should be unique and original. The resubmission of previous entries is only permitted where substantial revision has occurred.

All entries must use the presentation template.

All entrants must agree to the Terms and Conditions.

All entries must be prepared according to the Entrant Pack.

All entries must include the presentation file or link and the Submission Checklist.

Visualise Your Thesis challenges entrants to create short, eye-catching entries that succinctly describe their research and its potential benefits to a non-specialist audience. Entries in VYT International will be judged on the following criteria, however you may adapt this to your local institution.

TOPIC UNDERSTANDING: Does the video leave you with a better understanding of the topic?

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE: Is the research communicated / presented in language appropriate for a non-specialist audience?

CREATIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT: Is the video creative and engaging (e.g. visually striking and memorable)?

TOPIC SIGNIFICANCE: Is the significance of the research clearly explained?

Judges TBC

Key DateActivity
29 July 2024Entries to JCU Competition to be received by 9am via grs@jcu.edu.au
30 August 2024JCU Finalists aired at JCU 3MT Final  Event and winner announced.
2 September 2024Deadline to submit JCU Visualise Your Thesis Final winner to the national competition.

To provide just a little incentive, JCU will award the winners with the following prizes:

  • VYT Winner: $1,000
  • VYT Runner Up: $500
  • VYT People’s Choice: $500

The GRS offers coaching sessions to help HDR candidates create the sort of presentation that will make a good impression on the VYT judges.  Sessions are created by Dr Tullio Rossi from Animate Your Science.  There will be a call out for registrations and coupon codes will then be provided for the online course.

Other Training Resources

Can I change the layout and design of PowerPoint template for my entry?

Yes and no! As long as you retain the pre-formatted bookend slides (= the title and references) you are free to add your own content – this can be in the form of images, video and/or audio, and does not have to be just text.

How long should my entry be?

There is a 60 second time limit for entries; however, you can include as few or as many slides as you wish, keeping in mind that:

  • You must include the first slide and last slide, i.e. the title slide and references slides
  • Your presentation (excl. first slide and last slide) should run for a maximum of 60 seconds
  • Your title and reference slide(s) should run for 5 seconds each

Most VYT videos end up being around 70-75 seconds. Remember, your title slide needs to be 5 seconds and your content needs to be no longer than 60 seconds.

Can I include audio in my entry?

Yes, you are welcome to include audio, be that music, sound effects, or spoken word. If you are using music or sound effects that you have not created or if you have used a software to edit make sure they do not breach copyright or creative commons.

Can I include spoken audio in my entry?

Yes, you can include spoken audio in your entry, although you do not have to. If you do, you will need to include subtitles or provide a transcript upon submission

Can I use Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) tools in my entry?

Yes, you can include GAI tools and software in your entry. Just as with other tools and software you may be using, these need to be fully referenced in your citation slides.

Can I include images, music, or other audio-visual items that I find on the web in my entry?

You can, provided that the material is copyright compliant and/or you have the appropriate licences and permissions to reproduce it. Remember- just because something is on the internet does not mean you are free to use it, or to use it without correct referencing.

For more information refer to the copyright resources on https://www.jcu.edu.au/library/learn/copyright

Make sure that all materials used in your entry are cited, regardless of source.

Where can I find free images, music, or other audio-visual items to use in my entry?

There are numerous websites which provide access to images – Pixabay, Unsplash, and Snappy Goat are a few examples. Many archives and libraries (including the British Library) make their digitised collections available via Flickr Commons – Flickr being another popular image hosting website.

For music, sites like Incompetech, MuseOpen and ccMixter offer Creative Commons-licenced content. CC Search (https://search.creativecommons.org/) links to media, image and music platforms with content you can use and remix.

Again, make sure to check the individual creative commons licence of any object you include and have appropriate citations in the reference slide of your entry.

Does my video need to be an animation?

No, it does not. You are welcome to use still images, video footage, or a different visual. Part of VYT is presenting your research in a visual format so it does need to be visually engaging.

Do I have to create my entire entry in PowerPoint?

No. You are welcome to create content outside of PowerPoint, then embed it into the template (retaining the title and reference slides). If you create content in third-party applications (such as animation tools) make sure that you have the appropriate permissions or licences to include the content in your entry, and note these on your reference slide. Many tools offer a free account, but make sure to check the Terms of Use.

I’m enrolled for a degree that has a thesis component – can I enter VYT?

The Visualise Your Thesis programme is open to currently-enrolled graduate researchers (i.e. students enrolled in M.Phil., Masters by Research, Ph.D. or Professional Doctorate programmes) at any stage of their candidature who are active and attending of registered VYT 2023 institutions.

Not eligible to enter VYT are

  • Honours students
  • Masters by coursework students (even if their program has a research/thesis component).

I have only just started my research/only in my first year of research – is it worth me entering?

Many students complete the VYT programme in their 2nd or 3rd year, however you are welcome to participate in VYT at any stage in your candidature. You can also enter more than once throughout your candidature- but make sure your entries are significantly different!

I’m a graduate researcher and also an employee at my university – can I enter VYT?

Currently-enrolled graduate researchers who are employed by their university who may have, or may be perceived to have, influence over the outcome, research funding or related resourcing, or an otherwise unfair advantage over the other entrants from their university, may be deemed ineligible to participate. Entrants who are currently employed by their university are encouraged to disclose their employment status and provide information about whether their employment status may provide them with an unfair advantage over other entrants from their university.

I’m on a leave of absence, can I still submit an entry?

No. Only currently-enrolled graduate researchers who are active and attending are eligible to participate in VYT. If you are on a leave of absence unfortunately you are not eligible to enter. If your candidature has lapsed you are also ineligible to participate in VYT.

I’m affiliated with a research institute and a university and both run a VYT programme. Can I enter twice?

No. You can only enter once, so you will have to decide whether you’d like to represent your university or research institute.

Can I re-submit an entry from a previous year?

Entries should be unique and original. The resubmission of previous entries is only permitted where substantial revision has occurred. And no doubt your research has progressed significantly, and you’d like your entry to reflect this!

Got a question that is not included here?

Please email us at: grs@jcu.edu.au