Celebrating Academic Achievement: The College of Arts Shines in Three Minute Thesis Competition

The Arts Research Centre Auditorium in the College of Arts at the University of Guelph was abuzz with energy as the Three Minute Thesis Finals unfolded last week. The many impressive presentations included talks by COA graduate students April Torkopoulos (School of Languages and Literatures) and Andrew Vowles (School of Fine Art and Music.) 

Torkopoulos, who placed third in the competition, delivered an exciting presentation sharing ideas for innovating antiquated second language teaching practices. She believes “language is about being spontaneous, taking risks and is a fundamental tool for human interaction." In her presentation, Torkopoulos discussed how to make learning French fun through improv techniques and emphasized how interactive approaches can boost learning retention, drawing nods of agreement from the audience. When asked about her experience in the 3MT Competition, Torkopoulos shared that it was an honour to participate and place. “The 3MT competition allowed me to build a strong foundation of my thesis, gain confidence and public speaking skills, as well as learn from others,” she added. 

Vowles’ talk explored the intriguing connection between DNA barcoding and artistic expression. Vowles describes his research as bringing together international examples of artists incorporating motifs and ideas of DNA barcoding into their artworks. He shared that he is interviewing artists and scientists to learn what we gain through DNA barcoding art, including how these works may inform and challenge viewers and audiences about biodiversity loss and conservation – a key issue for our time. His talk left a lasting impression, highlighting the fascinating overlap between genetics and the natural world. Reflecting on his experience in the 3MT Competition, Vowles noted, "Preparing for the 3MT contest required me to focus on key points in my research, a useful exercise in shaping, ordering and reflecting on aspects of writing my actual thesis.” 

The event underscored the College’s dedication to fostering students’ creativity and intellectual curiosity and their drive to push boundaries in research.