Support for the Three Minute Thesis competition is a small investment with a big payoff, say organizers. A boost in base funding of $7,700 per year allows the University of Windsor to host the annual research communication event, one of 13 projects to receive monies this year from the Strategic Priority Fund.

The competition requires graduate students to describe their research and its significance to a lay audience in three minutes. The University of Windsor has participated for the past two years—MHK candidate Yasina Somani qualified for the 2014 national finals.

Alison Samson, director of graduate academic services, says the program provides valuable experience for students: “The format of the three minute presentations helps the contestants learn to communicate the importance of their work and make it intelligible to the public.”

She says the new funding will cover costs like prize monies, marketing expenses, a reception for participants, and the travel costs of UWindsor champions to the provincial finals.

“We already have received support from the Graduate Student Society and the Alumni Association, as well as in-kind contributions from many people on- and off-campus,” Samson says.

Other projects that received funding in this round include:

• An Interdisciplinary Approach to Teaching Effective Technical Communications Skills
  Establishment of a humanities-engineering interdisciplinary teaching cohort for the first-year technical communications course
• Certification Program in Pedagogy for Online Learning
  Design and development of a certificate program in the Pedagogy for Online Learning
• Establishing the Infrastructure for Effective Online Student Evaluation of Teaching
  Establishment of online student evaluations of teaching
• Graduate Student Conference Travel Support and Professional Socialization
  Financial support for graduate students seeking to participate in professional conferences and exhibitions
• Institutionalizing the Bystander Initiative to Mitigate Sexual Assault on Campus
  A two-year Bystander Initiative position to solidify and magnify the benefits of the University’s existing sexual assault prevention education
• Lancer Support and Mentoring Scheme
  Appointment of a part-time Lancer Support Coordinator
• Master of Engineering Technology
  Development of Canada’s first master’s program in engineering technology
• Poverty and Social Policy Externship Pilot Program
  A partnership between Windsor Law and Pathway to Potential, a collaborative anti-poverty network
• Ancillary Academic Staff Position – Forensic Sciences
  A limited-term appointment in Forensic Sciences
• Supporting the Academic Writing Needs of Students
  This grant will support the continuation of student writing support programs through the Academic Writing Desk
• Tools for Experiential Learning in Physiology and Neuroscience
  Investment in equipment critical to laboratory neuroscience courses
• UWindsor Science Academy
  Establishment of an annual one-week intensive science academic program for secondary school students

The Strategic Priority Fund, allocated by the Office of the Provost, supports projects that enhance UWindsor operations to meet its strategic objectives. Learn more on its website.