Seaweed solutions and puppy practice take top competition spots
CQUniversity students have engaged audiences with their research, highlighting sustainable seaweed for climate change and benefits of reading to dog programs in this year’s Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) and 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competitions.
There were almost a dozen entries from the diverse research higher degree cohort in the 2024 CQU rounds for the international VYT and 3MT competitions.
CQU's 3MT participant Melissa Smith advanced into the next round of the online competition with her thesis Paws for Thought : unleashing the benefits of reading to Dog programs
She will present her compelling story in just three minutes to a judging panel who will select eight finalists to progress to the 2024 Virtual Asia-Pacific 3MT Final.
“A young student struggling with learning can feel like they are drowning in a sea of words. It can make them frustrated, embarrassed and begin to dislike school. For these students, a friendly dog sitting and wagging its tail as they begin to read out loud can make it seem less overwhelming,” Ms Smith said.
“Struggling readers face lifelong challenges that affect not just their learning, but also future employment and social situations. Reading is like a key that unlocks doors to endless possibilities but for many children the key feels just out of reach.
“Reading to dog programs help to turn that key by enhancing children’s reading engagement, motivation and fluency. It is like having a furry cheerleader that listens and doesn’t judge.”
Ms Smith explained that her thesis involved data collection of three main elements - the reading, a dog, supportive adults like teachers and volunteers, and a young reader.
“To ensure a deep understanding of these elements, I am conducting interviews and analysing students drawing and artworks to uncover different feelings and experiences. My early research suggests the impact of the programs can be profound with positive feedback from teachers and principals.
“These programs have the potential to transform a student’s relationship to reading. Understanding how these transformations occur is central to my research as insights will shape future programs."
Fellow PhD student Najeen Arabelle Rula was the winner of the CQ University (2024) VYT local competition and is now in the running for the Trending on VYT viewers' choice competition for views on her 60-second audio-visual pitch titled, Harnessing Seaweed Power Through Sustainable Harvesting: Ecological Insights for Climate Benefits
“One of the keys to addressing climate change could lie between the waves. The red sea plume has ignited commercial interest in expanding its use in animal feeds to reduce their methane in cattle,” Ms Najeen explained.
“My PhD research dives deep into the ecology of this seaweed where I explore its habitat in the great barrier reef using computer simulations.
“The program studies their seasonal patterns and growth in reproduction to assess the impacts of harvesting to improve sustainability and cultivation. This data also allows us to explore the potential of wild harvesting as an effective method for seaweed overgrowth on coral reefs.”
Ms Najeen said she is excited to advance to the next stage of the competition, ‘Trending on VYT’, where contestants from each university will compete against each other for views from a global online audience.
The winner will take home the coveted title along with a 12-month gold membership to the Research Impact Academy which includes access to training, masterclasses and other resources to help create, communicate and evaluate research impact.
The Visualise Your Thesis Trending competition is currently taking place with view counts from 16 – 22 October contributing to the prize winner. Results will be announced during the week beginning 28 October on the Visualise Your Thesis website.
