Chemistry researcher takes part in University-wide Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) contest

Eight students representing all Faculties competed to present a compelling description of their PhD thesis and its significance in just three minutes before a lecture theatre packed with students and academic staff, mostly new to the subject. Judges decided on the quality of communication, comprehension and engagement with the audience. More than 150 students took part in closely-fought heats around the University to decide on the finalists.

In the contest, James spoke about the challenge to improve lithium oxygen batteries that provide the power for electric cars to enable them to travel further between charges. His supervisor John Owen, Professor of Electrochemistry, was in the audience to hear his explanation. Physics postgraduate Paul Gow won first prize and will represent Southampton in the national final later in the year.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Don Nutbeam opened the event and listened with interest to all the finalists. 3MT began in 2008 at the University of Queensland in Australia as a research communication competition and quickly spread around the world. Events are now held at more than 170 universities in 17 countries