In a presentation that was both dramatically voiced and crisply informative, Krisha Lim won the Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology's inaugural 3-Minute Thesis Competition for masters students.
The competition is a fast-paced event in which graduate students must explain the scope and significance of their research in far less time than it takes to have a cup of coffee.
Lim's thesis, How Can We Help Farmers When They Are Already Clever? Adaptation and Neighbour Networks, investigates how the neighbour networks of farmers influence their decisions to change their farming practices, and how policy makers can use those effects to influence farmers' decision making.
"Not everyone can understand the details of the economic modelling I have done," said Lim. "Being able to explain the bigger picture and the importance of my thesis in a non-technical manner allows me to engage in interesting conversations with non-economists."
Second place was awarded to Hawley Campbell, whose thesis topic is Economy-wide Effects of Cellulose Ethanol policy in North America. For her, the event's challenging time constraint was ultimately a boon.
"It's hugely beneficial because it gives you the opportunity to crystallize the idea of what your thesis is all about," said Campbell.
Runners-up were Victoria Zeppa, who is researching institutional change in farmer-trader exchange practices in the Indonesian shallot market; Angela Bentley, with research concerning farmland valuation in the 21st century; and Kelsey Jansen, who wants to investigate indigenous peoples' knowledge in the monitoring of barren-ground caribou movements in the Northwest Territories.
Professor Emeritus Murray Hawkins, one of the event's three judges, called Lim's presentation "outstanding," and strongly encouraged her to pursue PhD studies. Judges ranked presentations on comprehension, engagement and communication. The two other judges were Michele Veeman, professor emeritus in REES, and James Rude, an associate professor in the department.
Hawkins was the first person to earn a graduate degree from what was then called the Department of Agricultural in Economics and Farm Management, in 1964. His M.H. Hawkins Research Scholarship Award supports the competition with cash awards of $300 and $200 for the top two competitors.
Nine REES students took part in the competition, including Maria Montenegro, Matthew Dairon, Sarah Prescott and Wes Lui, and were praised by Boxall for setting the bar high. An audience of 60, including faculty, staff, current and incoming REES students, supported competitors at the lively, high-energy event.
The 3-Minute Thesis Competition was developed by the University of Queensland in 2008 and now occurs at universities around the world, many of which make it mandatory for PhD students. Indeed, REES intends to do so next September, said Peter Boxall, chair of the department. The exercise is meant to benefit students as well as others, such as prospective employers, who are non-specialists in the research area.
While this competition was for MSc students, the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is holding the finals for its 3-Minute Thesis competition for UAlberta PhD students on March 27 in ECHA L1-490. All are welcome to attend.
The competition is a fast-paced event in which graduate students must explain the scope and significance of their research in far less time than it takes to have a cup of coffee.
Lim's thesis, How Can We Help Farmers When They Are Already Clever? Adaptation and Neighbour Networks, investigates how the neighbour networks of farmers influence their decisions to change their farming practices, and how policy makers can use those effects to influence farmers' decision making.
"Not everyone can understand the details of the economic modelling I have done," said Lim. "Being able to explain the bigger picture and the importance of my thesis in a non-technical manner allows me to engage in interesting conversations with non-economists."
Second place was awarded to Hawley Campbell, whose thesis topic is Economy-wide Effects of Cellulose Ethanol policy in North America. For her, the event's challenging time constraint was ultimately a boon.
"It's hugely beneficial because it gives you the opportunity to crystallize the idea of what your thesis is all about," said Campbell.
Runners-up were Victoria Zeppa, who is researching institutional change in farmer-trader exchange practices in the Indonesian shallot market; Angela Bentley, with research concerning farmland valuation in the 21st century; and Kelsey Jansen, who wants to investigate indigenous peoples' knowledge in the monitoring of barren-ground caribou movements in the Northwest Territories.
Professor Emeritus Murray Hawkins, one of the event's three judges, called Lim's presentation "outstanding," and strongly encouraged her to pursue PhD studies. Judges ranked presentations on comprehension, engagement and communication. The two other judges were Michele Veeman, professor emeritus in REES, and James Rude, an associate professor in the department.
Hawkins was the first person to earn a graduate degree from what was then called the Department of Agricultural in Economics and Farm Management, in 1964. His M.H. Hawkins Research Scholarship Award supports the competition with cash awards of $300 and $200 for the top two competitors.
Nine REES students took part in the competition, including Maria Montenegro, Matthew Dairon, Sarah Prescott and Wes Lui, and were praised by Boxall for setting the bar high. An audience of 60, including faculty, staff, current and incoming REES students, supported competitors at the lively, high-energy event.
The 3-Minute Thesis Competition was developed by the University of Queensland in 2008 and now occurs at universities around the world, many of which make it mandatory for PhD students. Indeed, REES intends to do so next September, said Peter Boxall, chair of the department. The exercise is meant to benefit students as well as others, such as prospective employers, who are non-specialists in the research area.
While this competition was for MSc students, the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is holding the finals for its 3-Minute Thesis competition for UAlberta PhD students on March 27 in ECHA L1-490. All are welcome to attend.