Three-Minute Thesis Competition

The Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition takes place annually as part of PhD on Tap, a day-long research showcase sponsored by the Office of the Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

To receive the latest updates about the 3MT® Competition, be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our Doctoral Digest newsletter.

What is 3MT®?

Developed by The University of Queensland, the 3MT® Competition serves as a platform for doctoral students to cultivate academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Participants will refine their ability to effectively convey their research in just three minutes using language that is accessible to a non-specialist audience.

Attend one of our informational sessions to learn more!

Why should I participate?

The 3MT® Competition offers PhD students a holistic and enriching experience that will equip them with vital professional skills that will extend well beyond the competition itself, positively impacting their academic and professional journey. By requiring students to condense their extensive research into a compelling three-minute pitch, it serves as an excellent opportunity for refining essential presentation and communication skills, as participants will learn to convey complex ideas with clarity and engagement. This skill becomes invaluable in countless academic and professional contexts, where concise and impactful communication is key.

Cash Prizes

  • First Place: $1500
  • Second Place: $750
  • People’s Choice Award: $500

Rules

General

  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding 3 minutes will be disqualified.
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage and are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps or songs).
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Media

  • A single, static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or movement of any type are allowed.
  • The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
  • No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted.

Judging Criteria

Comprehension & Content

  • Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
  • Did the presentation follow a clear, logical sequence?
  • Were the thesis topic, key results, research significance, and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
  • Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain necessary terminology, and provide adequate background information to illustrate key points?

Engagement & Communication

  • Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
  • Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
  • Did the presenter capture and maintain audience attention?
  • Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact, and vocal range? Did they maintain a steady pace and confident stance?
  • Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation? Was the slide clear, legible, and concise?
  • Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation? Did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or did the presentation feel rushed?

3MT® Resources

Virtual Workshops

To help you prepare for the 3MT® Competition, PDPA will offer two virtual workshops for those interested in participating. The first will focus on crafting your elevator pitch for the competition, and the second will be a general public speaking workshop to provide you with tips to help you feel more comfortable in the competition and other public speaking scenarios. These workshops are open to any students who are interested, but not yet registered for the event.

Practice & Feedback Session

One week before the qualifying heats, we will also hold a practice session where participants can rehearse their presentations in front of a live audience and receive feedback from peers and PDPA staff members—several of whom are previous 3MT® winners.

Competition Videos

If you would like to see the finalists and winners of our 2023 3MT® Competition, you can find recordings of their presentations here. These videos are a good place to start if you want to get a better idea of what will be expected of you in the competition as well as what our judges will be looking for.