While the 10 competitors knew they would be the centre of attention, the judges, the compere and the 400-strong audience received some attention of their own when they were filmed by staff from Invercargill-based Cue Television for a programme to be screened in about six weeks' time.
In true studio audience tradition, they practised their clapping and cheering before the competition began, and waved their banners and balloons to ensure they could be seen by the Cue camera crews as well as by the university technicians live-streaming the event to the Christchurch and Wellington campuses.
After the judges and compere had tested their microphones, it was time to begin, each competitor getting just three minutes and one slide to explain their PhD research project.
Their brief was to explain their research concisely, precisely and simply to a non-specialist audience.
That, said compere Dr Rob Aitken, was a concept not often associated with university academics.
The judges, Associate Prof Peter Dearden, Assocoate Prof Lisette Burrows, Prof James Higham and Dr Davinia Thornley, searched for their winner based on competitors' communication style, depth of knowledge and ability to engage with the audience.
English student Carol Wyvill won the top prize of a $2000 conference or travel grant, and airfares and accommodation to compete at the inaugural Australasian Three Minute Thesis competition in Brisbane next month.
The $1000 travel or conference prize decided by audience vote was shared by Evan Tan and Daniel Hutchinson.
The men and the other finalists - Trudy Sullivan, Jordana Norrish, Tracey Melzer (Christchurch), Moira Smith (Wellington), Jacquie Kao, Patty Towl, and Kristen Steslow, received $250 study grants.
