The ICA-AP Committee on Cooperative Research (CCR) hosted the 16th Coop Colloquium (CC16) as part of the preparations for the Young and Emerging Scholars (YES) Workshop that will take place alongside the 19th ICA-AP Cooperative Research Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The session focused on the art of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT), a global platform that challenges researchers to communicate their work succinctly, persuasively, and with clarity of purpose.

The colloquium was organized under the guidance of Dr. Sidsel Grimstad, Vice-Chair of the ICA-AP CCR and Adjunct Professor at Griffith Business School in Australia. In her introduction, Dr. Grimstad noted that this colloquium was designed as a practical learning experience rather than a conventional academic discussion. “We often conduct research within complex systems and abstract frameworks,” she observed, “yet the true test lies in explaining what we do and why it matters to people beyond our field.”

Clarity as a Core Research Skill

Dr. Heidi Wechtler, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of Research Training at the University of Newcastle, Australia, delivered the keynote presentation. Drawing on her extensive experience as a trainer and mentor for doctoral candidates, Dr. Wechtler explained that the Three Minute Thesis competition, first developed at the University of Queensland in 2008, has become a cornerstone of academic communication across more than eighty countries and nine hundred universities.

She explained that the competition is not merely an academic exercise but a critical professional skill. “The 3MT is about learning to translate ideas,” she said. “It enables researchers to move from technical description to meaningful communication, helping them express the significance of their work to funders, policymakers, and the public.”

Dr. Wechtler outlined the four key elements that every strong presentation must include: What, Why, How, and So What. These questions help researchers tell the story of their work, from defining the problem to demonstrating its value. She also reminded participants that clarity is more memorable than complexity. “Audiences will not recall every figure,” she said, “but they will remember how your message made them understand the difference your research can make.”

She shared insights on common mistakes, such as relying too heavily on memorised text, including too much background, or using slides crowded with words. She encouraged scholars to use simple, powerful visuals and to speak naturally in their own voice rather than rehearsing an artificial script.

From Nervous to Natural: The Story of the Silent Extrovert

The second speaker, Dr. Sabiha Matin, Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Newcastle and a previous 3MT winner, gave an engaging presentation titled “The Silent Extrovert.” She shared her journey of moving from Bangladesh to Australia and how the 3MT helped her regain confidence as a communicator in a new academic and cultural setting.

Her presentation was both reflective and practical. She introduced the idea of using a “visual hammer,” a memorable story, image, or character that captures attention instantly and anchors the message. She advised participants to start with a problem that their audience can relate to rather than one that exists only in literature. “Begin with what your listeners feel,” she said. “Help them connect emotionally before you explain your academic solution.”

Dr. Matin urged scholars not to overwhelm their presentations with methodology or theory. “Your supervisors may love theory,” she said, “but your audience loves stories that make sense.” She recommended focusing on practical contributions and ending each presentation with a metaphor or thought that lingers in the audience’s mind.

Among her most appreciated tips was what she called the “Niece and Nephew Test.” She explained that if a child around ten years old can understand the three-minute explanation, it is ready for the public stage. She also spoke about the importance of pauses, simplicity in titles, and dressing with confidence. “The way you present yourself shapes how you feel,” she said. “If you feel confident, your audience will believe in your story.”

Reflections and Conclusion

The Q&A session brought lively questions from scholars across Nepal, India, and the Philippines on slide design, timing, and how to express research findings in simple language. Dr. Wechtler reiterated that presenters are allowed only one static slide and encouraged them to spend time finding an image that visually represents the essence of their work.

The session concluded with reflections from Dr. Amita, Professor of Economics at the University of Pune and long-standing member of the ICA-AP Research Committee. She commended the initiative, observing that the workshop was valuable not only for preparing students for the 3MT competition but also for improving how researchers communicate complex cooperative issues to broader audiences.

CC16 served as both a training and a mentoring platform for the emerging generation of cooperative researchers. It strengthened participants’ confidence ahead of their presentations at the YES Workshop on 23 November in Colombo.

As the session closed, Dr. Matin’s words stayed with many participants: “You have only three minutes, but in those three minutes, you can change someone’s mind.” The message captured the spirit of the day; that clarity, empathy, and purpose are not just communication techniques but expressions of the cooperative ethos itself.