Explaining years of research in minutes is no easy task. Yet that was precisely the challenge presented to humanities graduate students at Stony Brook University on Wednesday, October 21, during “Telling the Story of Your Research: Communication Strategies for Humanities Scholars,” an interactive workshop hosted by the Graduate School and the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT).
Led by Molly Lotz, director of research training initiatives and interim director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at the Graduate School, and Sai Aishwarya Abasolo, instructional designer and TA development specialist at CELT and winner of Stony Brook’s 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, the workshop explored how scholars can transform complex research into compelling stories that are accessible to audiences beyond their disciplines.
The session opened with a small challenge: working in pairs, students had one minute to explain their research to a partner before attempting the same task in just 30 seconds. With little time to spare, the exercise prompted participants to identify the core ideas behind their work and consider how to make them relatable to someone outside their field.
From there, Lotz and Abasolo introduced strategies for distilling research into clear, vivid and conversational language. At the heart of the discussion was a deceptively simple question: “So what?” Participants were encouraged to look beyond the technical details of their research and articulate why their work matters, and who it affects.
Equally important was knowing the audience. An explanation that resonates with a fellow researcher may not with undergraduate students or the general public. Through exercises focused on summarizing their research in two sentences for two different audiences, participants practiced adapting their message without losing the substance of their work.
Lotz emphasized that “Humanities scholars have the advantage of thinking through their research in narrative terms, which is an important part of sharing the impact of your work with a general audience. The challenge then becomes refining an ‘elevator pitch’ so that you’re able to succinctly explain your research while you hold the audience’s attention.”
Armed with these strategies, participants tried the opening exercise once more. They then reflected on what worked, what could be improved and how a more intentional approach to communication could change the way their research was received.
The second half of the workshop focused on delivery, exploring how voice, body language and stage presence can strengthen a message. Lotz and Abasolo discussed the importance of speaking at an intentional pace, adjusting vocal volume, maintaining confident posture and using visual elements to reinforce key ideas. Participants were also advised to practice regularly and record themselves presenting to better understand how they come across to an audience.
For emerging scholars engaging colleagues across disciplines, teaching undergraduate students or introducing their work to the broader public, communicating research with clarity and purpose is essential to making scholarship accessible and impactful.
For doctoral students eager to put these skills into practice, Stony Brook’s 2027 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition offers the next opportunity to take on the challenge.
The annual competition invites doctoral students from all disciplines to present their dissertation research to a general audience in just three minutes, using a single, static slide. Through communication coaching and the competition, participants can refine their presentation skills while bringing their research to a wider university audience.
Drawing on her own experience as the 2025 3MT winner, Abasolo underscored that the “3MT is such a wonderful opportunity to develop these skills. During the practice sessions, Molly provides excellent coaching, and you will also receive feedback from your fellow graduate student participants to help build your confidence and stage presence.”
The 2027 Three Minute Thesis competition will take place on Friday, March 12, from 10 am to 3 pm in the Student Activities Center Auditorium. Speaker registration is now open through Thursday, January 28, 2027.
Take the stage, share your discoveries and show audiences why your work matters!
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