Q and A with a contender
The Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT™) is held annually at universities around the world and is designed to test how well students can distill their research into a three-minute, jargon-free presentation. This year is the first time Concordia will hold the competition.
Graduate student Mona Tajali will be competing and she answers a few questions for readers:
1. Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Mona Tajali. I am enrolled in the Humanities Doctoral Program, which is offered through the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture (CISSC). My main discipline however is sociology and anthropology. I expect to finish my degree in June 2013.
2. Can you describe your research in two sentences or less?
I am researching women’s political representation in two Muslim countries to better understand some of the obstacles that women face as they access political decision-making positions. As well, I’m examining some of the strategies that they use to enhance their representation in formal politics. Focusing on the latter point contributes to the literature on women and politics, as it highlights Muslim women’s determination in amplifying their voice in politics and policy-making.
3. Why did you decide to register as a competitor?
I thought it would be a great skill to acquire, particularly as I am about to enter the job market, and I know one thing employers look for is the ability to explain your research in concise yet interesting ways, while also highlighting its significance and contributions. Hearing that GradProSkills was going to coach us on how to do this made me want to join, as I was familiar with their workshops and the level of expertise they provide us with.
4. How have you been preparing for the competition?
I attended most sessions to see what type of training/help I was going to get. In one of them, they introduced us to Yvonne Calloway Smith, who really helped me through the process. I appreciated her feedback during the practice session, and also she was kind enough to go through my three-minute speech several times with me. After we finalized the text, I worked on memorizing it and amplifying my ‘low’ voice.
5. Why do you think people would be interested in hearing about your research?
I think Muslim women is a subject matter that interests many. However, our 'knowledge' of this group is often tainted with many stereotypes that unfortunately present them as backward or powerless in comparison to Western women.
In this research I present women’s struggles for gender equality in perhaps the most male-dominated field: politics. Interestingly, I find that women’s struggles and ambitions are not that different from those of Western women. Also learning about Muslim women’s determination to enhance their status is timely as it can serve as models for others in the region to follow, given the recent democratization sweeping across the Muslim world.
When: Thursday, April 12, 2012, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Where: J.A. DeSève Cinema, ground floor of the J.W. McConnell Library Building (1400 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.), Sir George Williams Campus
Related links:
• Concordia Three Minute Thesis Competition
• “A Year’s Research in Three Minutes or Less” — NOW, February 14, 2012
• “Ready, set, present!” — NOW, April 11, 2012