The GSAS Threesis Academic Challenge 2017

ABOUT 

The Eighth Annual GSAS Threesis Academic Challenge will take place on Saturday, April 14, 2018. The qualifying rounds will take place on Friday, April 13, 2018.

The Threesis is a vehicle to showcase the academic excellence and important scholarly work of GSAS master’s students. Each participant has three minutes to present a compelling oration on the significance of their research in language appropriate for a non-specialized audience. 

In order to be considered for entry in the GSAS Threesis Academic Challenge, master’s students are invited to submit this application with an abstract of their thesis, capstone project, or other graduate-level research (as defined below), by Friday, February 9, 2018. Threesis application decisions will be announced early in the 2018 spring semester. If you are selected to participate in Threesis, you will receive dates for the mandatory mentoring workshops during which you will receive constructive feedback from Threesis alumni, the talented subject librarians of Bobst, and more.

ELIGIBILITY

Anyone who is enrolled in a GSAS master’s program (including students with a thesis under submission) is eligible. Graduates of the current academic year are also eligible.

DEFINITIONS 

Thesis: any thesis, capstone project, creative project, or graduate-level research required by your department.

Abstract: a brief description of your project in one to three paragraphs (250 words). 

A single static PowerPoint slide is required (no slide transitions, animations, or "movement" of any type permitted). No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files). No additional props (e.g. costumes, instrumentals, materials, etc.). Presentations are limited to three minutes. The judges' decisions are final.

JUDGING CRITERIA 

1. Mastery: Does the speaker clearly grasp the material? 

2. Style: Is the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language accessible for a non-specialized audience?

3. Engagement: Does the oration captivate and intrigue the audience? 

BENEFITS

Win prize money and the title of the 2018 Threesis Champion: GSAS awards prizes for first place ($1,000), second place ($750), and third place ($500). The audience also determines the audience choice award ($750). Plus, participating departments in the Threesis Incentive Program award $300 to their students if they make it to the Final Round.

Network and engage with academics and mentors from across the University.

Connect with fellow master's students from a variety of departments and programs throughout the Graduate School.

Showcase and improve your public speaking skills, which are great for doctoral programs, job interviews, and more!

THE SEVENTH ANNUAL ACADEMIC CHALLENGE

The Seventh Annual Threesis Academic Challenge took place on Saturday, April 22, 2017.

Students in the final rounds of the GSAS Threesis Academic Challenge competed for prizes totaling $3,000 offered by the Graduate School of Arts and Science and a chance to claim the coveted title of Threesis Champion. Members of the audience at the final rounds voted for and awarded a $750 prize to the Threesis Audience Choice winner. [A special thank you to our finalist judges: Michael Laver, Dean for the Social Sciences; Michael D. Purugganan, Dean for Science; and Barbara Weinstein, Silver Professor of History.]

The Threesis Incentive Program allows for departments and programs to encourage student participation and support their students by offering departmental rewards of at least $300 to students who make it to the final round. Find out more about the Threesis Incentive Program. 

With presentations ranging in topic from the effectiveness of gender quotas across world governments, to the use of virtual reality to improve cooperation, to a Rhode Island summer cottage's 300-year history with one family, the captivated audience and judges had their hands full selecting the winners. See photos from the event on our Facebook page.

Congratulations to the 2017 GSAS Threesis Academic Challenge Winners:

First Place: Sarah Stodder, Journalism
Lazy Lawn: 300 Years in the Life of Rhode Island's Oldest Summer Home

Second Place & Audience Choice: Loren Dent, International Relations
The Quota Question: What Happens When More Women are Elected to Public Office

Third Place: Joshua Kruchten, English
How to Read a Booke of Bees

Congratulations to the 2017 GSAS Threesis Academic Challenge Finalists:

    Olivia Crabtree Bloiso, History

    Mathias Dub, International Relations

    Anaïs Faurt, French Studies

    Caroline B. Heafey, Irish and Irish-American Studies

    Ehimamiegho Idahosa-Erese, Psychology

    Hannah Kang, Psychology

    Shoshanah B. Tarkow, Performance Studies

    Jennifer Zelmer, Latin American and Caribbean Studies

    Daniel W. Zhang, Computer Science

And congratulations to all the 2017 GSAS Threesis Academic Challenge participants!