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Three Minute Thesis Competition

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland. First run in 2008, 3MT® has grown to become a global competition, with universities around the world holding their own events. The exercise challenges doctoral students to present a compelling talk on their thesis topic and its significance in just 180 seconds.

3 Minutes, 1 Slide…..Your Thesis!

A 50,000 word thesis would take 7 hours to present; how about in just 3 minutes with the aid of a single slide? We are inviting DPhil students to do just that.

The annual 3 Minute Thesis competition challenges doctoral candidates to present a compelling spoken presentation on their research topic and its significance in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience.

Training took place on Friday 26th April 2024 with the University of Oxford final on Friday 24th May 2024. Dates for the 2025 competition will be announced towards the end of 2024. 

THE BENEFITS

The competition will help you to develop your communication skills, vital to raise awareness of your work, seek support and obtain funding. You will be able to develop ways of explaining complex ideas in a way that is accessible and engaging for a non-specialist audience, raise the profile of your work, enhance your CV, and network with like-minded researchers.

  

THE OXFORD COMPETITION

The  2024 Oxford final took place in person, on 24th May 2024 10am-12pm.

Winners of the 2024 competition

  • 1st prize: Dylan Sherman, Department of Engineering Science, Nano-sponges that light up your world
  • Runner-up prize: Amirmohammad Farzaneh, Department of Engineering Science, How to pack your network
  • People's Choice Award: Dylan Sherman, Department of Engineering Science, Nano-sponges that light up your world

Congratulations to all our winners, including Dylan Sherman who has also advanced to the semi-final of the national Vitae competition.

WATCH ENTRIES FROM PREVIOUS WINNERS

1st prize winner 2024: Dylan Sherman

TRAINING

Specialist training is provided to all participants to help develop their pitch. Training takes your through the key ingredients to craft a compelling three minute presentation about your thesis work, and have the chance to get feedback on your presentations. 

Training Friday 26th April 2024 from 2-4pm, Careers Service

REGISTRATION FOR THE TRAINING HAS NOW PASSED

HOW TO APPLY TO COMPETE 

The final takes place on:

Friday 24th May | 10am-12pm | Careers Service

At the final you will deliver your Three Minute Thesis to a panel of judges.

The deadline for applications is 3rd May 2024. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by 10th May 2024.  

By registering for the competition you confirm that you are available to attend the final and are eligible (check eligibility criteria). 

APPLICATIONS FOR THE FINAL HAVE NOW CLOSED

 If you decide you no longer want to compete you can withdraw at any time by giving notice via email.

ELIGIBILITY

Active DPhil and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions at all levels. If you have already sat the Viva Voce examination you are not eligible. Post-doctoral Graduates are not eligible.

TIMELINE

  • Training: 2-4pm Friday 26th April 2024
  • Deadline to apply to the competition: 3rd May 2024
  • Oxford Final: 10am-12pm Friday 24th May 2024
  • Early July: National semi-finals 
  • Aug/Sept: National finalists announced by Vitae
  • Vitae National Final: 2nd October 2024. Online broadcast.

RULES

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Comprehension and content

  • Did the presenter provide clear motivation, background and significance to the research question?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the research strategy/design and the results/findings?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research?

Engagement and communication

  • Was the oration delivered clearly, with language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
  • Was the PowerPoint slide well-defined and did it enhance the presentation?
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research and capture/maintain the audience's attention?

 

Further links:

Read the FAQ for competitors

Read the competition rules

Read the competitor guide