Hi everyone, my name is Yuxuan. I’m a PhD researcher at the Birmingham Business School. I’m researching Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work in the Professions. Specifically, I investigated the application of AI in medical imaging practices in the NHS.
Earlier this year, I took part in the Three Minute Thesis competition — and to my surprise and delight, I first won the UoB final and then became a finalist at the national competition, which was a truly rewarding experience. So, I’d love to share a bit about it, as well as my journey as a PGR at UoB.
For those who haven’t heard of it, 3MT candidates need to introduce their PhD research to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes, using one static slide, with judges from all five colleges of the University.
This setting forced me to think about the big picture: why people should care about my research, especially those who don’t work in medical imaging.
Because you only have three minutes, a level of simplification is inevitable, but you also want to keep the exactness and rigour in your presentation.
In general, preparing for 3MT has reminded me about why I chose my topic in the first place, which gave me fresh motivation to carry on. It also helped me to sharpen my storytelling skills, which will be crucial for my future career.
Broadly speaking, doing a PhD is full of ups and downs. There could be moments of excitement when you make progress, but also moments where your thesis feels longer than your patience and stamina. My advice is to enjoy the process, diversify your focus beyond your research, and allow yourself to rest and recharge when things get stuck - because that’s completely normal.
I’d also encourage you to make the most of opportunities like 3MT. They are not just competitions, but a chance for you to see people’s genuine interest in your research, build confidence, and communicate your ideas in ways that can have real impacts.
Thank you for listening. I hope to see many of you taking part in 3MT in the future and enjoy your journey at UoB.