MATTHEW B. THOMPSON

Second in Best Illusion of the Year Contest!

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:42:34 +0000

We’ve taken out second place in the Best Illusion of the Year Contest, 2012!

Featured in Nature and New Scientist.

2011 Fulbright Reception at the US Embassy

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:07:09 +0000

Ambassador Bleich hosted the annual Fulbright reception at the Residence in Canberra and Jason Tangen and I went along.

I met the Afghan Ambassador—Nasir Ahmad Andisha (also a Fulbright Scholar)—and the US Ambassador—Jeffrey L. Bleich—and lots of other impressive (though mostly grey-haired!) people.

The Australian-American Fulbright Commission and Program is marking it’s 62nd Anniversary. Signed in 1949, it was amongst the first treaties signed between Australia and the U.S.

The Forensic Reasoning Project Launches

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 05:02:50 +0000

The Forensic Reasoning Project has been successful in obtaining an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (LP120100063) based at The University of Queensland. The four year, $332,000 grant will help researchers and forensic experts understand the nature of expertise in identification to improve training and the value of expert testimony in the criminal justice system.

The project is lead by Dr Jason Tangen and partner organisations include the Australian Federal Police, the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency National Institute of Forensic Science Australia, and the Queensland Police Service.

TEDxBrisbane

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 07:16:00 +0000

I spoke briefly at TEDxBrisbane this year. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx—a program of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

TEDxBrisbane was held at the Queensland State Library and spread across three rooms (two via video link). Speakers ranged from artists to scientists and from thinkers to doers. It was a pleasure to be part of such an inspiring and important event!

(Credit: Mark Lobo Photography)

Three Minute Thesis Australia-New Zealand

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 01:14:27 +0000

After winning the UQ Final of the Three Minute Thesis Competition, I travelled to the University of Western Australia to compete against 42 other PhD students from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. I was blown away by the quality of the presentations and the importance of the research.

I can’t imagine how the judges managed to make a decision but I ended up coming out on top.

The Chair of the judging panel, Professor Zlatko Skrbis from UQ, said while it was an unenviable task, the decision on the winner was unanimous. “Science is not like an independent republic in which people speak jargon. Matthew had the whole package. His ideas were clear and he was incredibly engaging,” Professor Skrbis said. [Full story here]

Thank you to the people who helped develop my 3MT: Jason Tangen, Will Harrison and Melanie McKenzie. I had a great time in Perth and very much appreciate the hospitality and harbour cruise provided by UWA!

Images:

3MT webpage:

720 ABC Perth Radio Interview

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:07:45 +0000

As a prelude to the Australia-New Zealand final of the Three Minute Thesis I was interviewed on 720 ABC Radio Perth on “Drive” with Russell Woolf. [Click for audio]

UQ Engagement Dinner

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:00:36 +0000

I presented my Three Minute Thesis to researchers, Deans and benefactors at the UQ Engagement Dinner, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Apparently, you could hear a pin drop!

612 ABC Brisbane Radio Interview

admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:00:20 +0000

After winning the Three Minute Thesis, Ryan Stafford (runner-up) and I were asked to “appear” on 612 ABC Radio with Steve Austin. It was great fun.

UQ Three Minute Thesis

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:00:33 +0000

The thought of presenting three years work in three minutes was daunting. It it even possible? How will I get my point across? Will I fall before the audience in a quivering heap of incoherent babble? I entered the 3MT to overcome my anxiety and learn to talk about my research as plainly as possible.

The 3MT changed the way I think about my PhD. I was forced to consider the social and economic impacts of my research, and how our lives might be improved as a result. Seeing the bigger picture gave me new purpose and motivation for all those late nights in the lab.

I won the UQ level of the 3MT competition and Ryan Stafford was Runner-up and People’s Choice. Thank you to the people who helped develop my 3MT: Jason Tangen, Will Harrison and Melanie McKenzie. (Photographs courtesy David Liu)

Sharing Science at the Queensland Museum

admin — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 01:00:26 +0000

I presented “Tricks of the Mind” to around fifty people at the Queensland Museum for Sharing Science during National Science Week. (Photographs courtesy of Jessica Coffen)