Policy Pitch
The Policy Pitch is a competition where you get the chance to present your ideas on how to improve government policies, services and programs. Participants of the Policy Pitch each have three minutes to present on contemporary policy issues, with options for its solution and a recommendation for the best course of action. 
The Policy Pitch is based on the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition developed by The University of Queensland, Australia, first held in 2008 with 160 graduate students competing. Enthusiasm for the 3MT concept grew and its adoption in numerous universities led to the development of an international competition in 2010. IPAC Victoria held Policy Brief competitions in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.  ​​
Eligibility:

  • Anyone can enter to pitch their policy idea
  • ​Individual applicants only
  • Presenters must submit their idea by emailing their idea to ipac@ipac-victoria.ca

Rules:

  • All presentations must include:  a summary of a particular issue faced by government at the local, provincial or federal level, the options to deal with it, and a recommendation on the best option.
  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description)
  • No note cards
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted
  • No laser pointers are permitted
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs)
  • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified

Judging Criteria:

A three member adjudicating panel will judge the presentations on the basis of three criteria:

     1. Content 
​
  • ​​Was the  topic well researched and analyzed?
  • Did the speaker identify an unresolved  issue?
  • Did the speaker provide relevant and well thought out options?
  • Did the speaker propose a well-argued recommendation?
  • Would you consider this researcher for further discussion about their work?

     2. Communication Style

  • Was the topic and significance communicated in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience?
  • Did the title of the talk give a clear picture of the topic and its importance?
  • Were all technical or specialist words clearly explained for a non-specialist audience?
  • Was the communication style clear enough so that any intelligent person could now sum up the topic and its significance?
  • Was the presentation an objective analysis not influenced by personal views or partisan politics?

​     3. Comprehension

  • Did the presentation help the audience to understand the issue and solution?
  • Did the speaker deliver their presentation at an appropriate pace?
  • Was there a storyline that helped the audience understand the issue, its importance and how the recommendation would or did address that problem?
  • Did the PowerPoint slide help the audience better understand the topic and its significance?​
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