The U of A Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a competition where graduate students share their research with a lay audience in three minutes. I was first introduced to 3MT by a friend who had competed in the event last year. They had an incredible experience and recommended that I participate in this year's competition.
I was initially apprehensive and wondered if it would make sense for me to compete. As I looked through the previous winners, I noticed they were predominately from the natural sciences. There was only one previous winner from the Faculty of Arts, and notably no one from sociology. After attending the information session, the 3MT team made it clear that students from any discipline were welcome to participate. I left feeling excited and approached my supervisor about presenting on the project I am involved in.
I am part of the U of A Prison Project Re-entry Study. We are a team of researchers at the Center for Criminological Research studying the cycle of reoffending. When a person goes to prison, they often do not have enough support and resources to reintegrate back into the community successfully. Repeatedly, we see that they end up returning to prison and become trapped in a cycle of release and re-imprisonment. To understand why people become trapped in this cycle, we are conducting interviews and surveys in Western Canadian Provincial Institutions with over eight hundred incarcerated people.
Our data collection begins in prison on release day, where we conduct our baseline surveys and interviews. Over the next year, we meet with our participants at key checkpoints - two weeks, two months, 4 months, 6 months, and one-year post-release. Why this approach? Imagine this study as a tapestry. Each survey and interview adds a new thread, weaving together the intricate narrative of people’s re-entry experiences. Using quantitative data and qualitative narratives, we shed light on the unseen struggles and triumphs of those navigating life after incarceration; behind every statistic lies a story.
As of May 2024, we have had the opportunity to survey and interview over 500 people. This research is important as it is the first systematic study on the barriers to re-entry in Canada. The data from this study will tell us what barriers formerly incarcerated people face and help us understand why many of them end up reoffending. We will create evidence-based policy recommendations to help people successfully reintegrate into their communities after incarceration.
The U of A allowed me to share this research with a broad audience and create a related presentation for the general public. I used the idea of recycling as my primary analogy. While people may be unaccustomed to specific sociological concepts, connecting our work to something familiar helped me explain the cycle of reoffending to a non-specialist audience.
The 3MT experience made me more confident in my public speaking abilities. Additionally, the professional development sessions they offered were especially helpful in learning how to create an effective presentation. I have already applied the skills I learned from 3MT in other academic and non-academic presentations.
I obtained immense community support and enthusiasm throughout the 3MT competition. My supervisor, Dr. Sandra Bucerius, my colleagues on the Prison Project, my friends and family, and the U of A community were incredibly supportive. Going into the 3MT Westerns, I felt excited and prepared. I am proud of my presentation and grateful to everyone who helped me practice. It was fascinating to meet other like-minded graduate students and hear about the exciting research taking place across Western Canada.
Reflecting on my journey through the 3MT competition and my involvement in the U of A Prison Project, I am struck by the transformative power of interdisciplinary engagement and community support. I encourage graduate students from all areas of study to participate in this competition; it has been a highlight of my graduate student experience. As our team continues our work with the Prison Project, I am optimistic our efforts will contribute to evidence-based policy recommendations that promote successful reintegration and break the cycle of re-incarceration in Canada.
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