The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by Ph.D. students. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), the exercise cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
Eligibility
Active Doctoral and Professional Doctorate (Research) students are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions at all levels. Plan 1 Master's students are also eligible to participate, as long as the student's program of study contains an original research project. Graduates are not eligible.
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Competition Rules
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
- A single static slide is permitted in the presentation (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description). The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
- The 3 minute audio must be continuous – no sound edits or breaks.
- No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted within the recording. Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
- No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
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Judging Criteria
Comprehension and Content
- Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question.
- Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research.
- Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research.
Engagement and Communication
- The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience.
- The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation.
- The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience's attention.
Competition Prizes
| Winner | Runner-up | People's Choice |
|---|---|---|
| $1000 | $750 | $500 |
Learn More
Questions?
Please email Nathan Anderson (nateande@uab.edu) with any questions you may have.