Wycliffe PhD candidate Jeremy McClung’s presentation “Ridding the World of Angelas" was recently declared the winner of the Toronto School of Theology’s inaugural Three Minute Thesis competition. 3MT® is an internationally recognized research communication competition that started in 2008 at the University of Queensland in Australia. Since then it has gained popularity, with over 600 universities in 65 countries holding annual competitions.
3MT challenges graduate students to concisely summarize the content and significance of their research for a generalist audience. Presenters may use one static slide, with no other props or aids, and must not go over three minutes. They are evaluated by a panel of non-specialist judges in three areas: communication, comprehension, and engagement.
Twenty students from TST squared off via Zoom on Friday, March 25th in two preliminary heats. The panel of judges included Faraz Alidina, last year’s 3MT winner at the University of Toronto, who offered a coaching session to the six participants who made it to the next round. Finals were held last Monday, April 25th, and were judged by a panel TST board members. Cash prizes of $1000, $500 and $250 were awarded to the top three participants, who were announced the following day. Jeff Braff of Regis came in second place, Jizhang Yi of Trinity (who also took the People’s Choice award) was third, and McClung was awarded first prize.
McClung is a fourth year PhD candidate studying practical theology and homiletics. He lives with his family in Huntsville, Ontario, where he is writing his thesis and serving as part-time interim pastor at the Meeting House in Parry Sound. His dissertation is entitled “Preaching for Grateful Response,” and is supported by committee members Dr. Stephen Farris of Knox, as well as Dr. Glen Taylor and Dr. Stephen Chester of Wycliffe. He expects to graduate next spring.
Jeremy kindly shared his presentation with us. Watch it here.
