Miami University architecture graduate students earn honors at Three Minute Thesis competition
Two Master of Architecture students were recognized for presenting their thesis research.
Miami University architecture graduate students earn honors at Three Minute Thesis competition
Two Master of Architecture students were recognized for presenting their thesis research.
Two Miami University Master of Architecture students earned recognition at the university's 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, hosted by the Graduate School.
Faith Dalton and Fatma Sude Erdogan were among 17 graduate students who participated in the competition, which challenges students to communicate their research to a general audience in just three minutes. Both advanced through the preliminary round to compete in the finals.
Dalton earned a tie for second place for her thesis, Anchors of Hope. Her thesis committee includes Jeff Kruth, chair, and faculty readers May Khalife and Terry Welker.
“I would recommend doing the 3MT thesis because it is an opportunity to hear what other people are working on around campus, and to share the hard work you are passionate about with others,” Dalton said. “Every single person presenting is working to make the world a better place, and seeing how research and project application can make an impact was such a great thing to experience.”
Erdogan received an honorable mention for her thesis, Next Generation Airports as Emergency Response Centers. Her thesis committee includes Gulen Cevik, chair, and faculty readers Liz Martin-Malikian and Terry Welker.
“I would highly recommend the 3MT competition to other graduate students because it provides a valuable opportunity to step outside their departments and share their research with a broader audience,” Erdogan said. “It challenges students to explain complex ideas in a clear, engaging, and accessible way while highlighting the significance and real-world impact of their work.”
Erdogan also emphasized the professional benefits of participating, including building confidence, strengthening communication skills, and connecting with people beyond their academic fields.
“Most importantly, it reminds us that our research has value beyond our own disciplines and deserves to be shared with the wider community,” she said.
The competition provides graduate students an opportunity to strengthen their research communication skills while sharing their work with audiences outside their academic disciplines.
Both students are pursuing their Master of Architecture degrees in Miami's Department of Architecture + Interior Design, part of the College of Creative Arts.
The department also recognized the contributions of faculty mentors and staff who supported the students throughout their thesis research and competition preparation.