- The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is a skills development activity that challenges Research Higher Degree students to explain their research project to a non-specialist audience in three minutes.
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by PhD candidates.
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.
The first 3MT competition was held at UQ in 2008 with 160 Research Higher Degree students competing. In 2009 and 2010 the 3MT competition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew.
Due to its adoption in numerous universities, a multi-national event was developed, and the Inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT competition was held at UQ in 2010.
Since 2011, the popularity of the competition has increased and 3MT competitions are now held in over 600 universities across more than 65 countries worldwide.
In November 2013, the first Universitas 21 (U21) 3MT competition was held with several universities from around the world competing in a virtual competition.
2016 brought an expansion of the Trans-Tasman 3MT competition to include a South-East Asia and North-East Asia. This competition is now called the Asia-Pacific 3MT competition.
In 2022, 3MT is held in over 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide.
Active PhD 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, including the Asia-Pacific 3MT competition. Graduates are not eligible.
*Professional Doctorate (Research) program composed of at least 2/3 research and funded via the Research Training Program.
Please note that Australian candidates enrolled in any of the following programs are not eligible for the Asia-Pacific 3MT competition:
TO ENTER | ||
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Registrations for the UTAS-wide Virtual 3MT Competition are now OPEN. Register here. Registrations will be accepted until 11:30pm AEST, SUNDAY 31 JULY 2022. Video and PowerPoint slide submissions must be received by 5:00pm AEST, FRIDAY 12 AUGUST 2022. | ||
Email your PowerPoint slide and entry (as a link to your video on Vimeo) to the 3MT Coordinator at Graduate.Research@utas.edu.au (refer to 'Rules and Recording' for instructions). | ||
JUDGES | ||
A panel of experts from different disciplines within UTAS will judge entries across two heats (dependent on number of entries received). | ||
The winners from each Heat will progress to the UTAS Finals. The winner will then represent UTAS at the Asia Pacific Final. | ||
Judging Criteria | ||
1. Comprehension & Content |
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2. Engagement |
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FINALS & PEOPLES CHOICE COMPETITION | ||
Monday 15 Aug. | People's Choice voting opens - The UTAS Community will be asked to vote on who they thought gave the most convincing 3MT presentation (based on their understanding of the judging criteria outlined above). Details on how to view the presentations and vote will be provided closer to the date. It is possible to win a place (First or Runner-Up) and win the People's Choice award. | |
Monday 29 Aug. | Finalists announced | |
Monday 5 Sept. | Finalists video resubmission closes | |
Sunday 11 Sept. | People's Choice voting closes | |
Monday 12 Sept. | UTAS winners announced and People's Choice awarded | |
ASIA-PACIFIC FINAL | ||
Friday 16 Sept. | Asia-Pacific 3MT Competition closes for the UTAS finalist submission | |
Wednesday 19 Oct. | The Virtual Asia-Pacific Final will be hosted by University of Queensland via Zoom (viewing link and registration details still to come) | |
Registrations for the UTAS 3MT competition are now open! Register here and submit your entry to the UTAS competition by Friday 12 August 2022. |
Please note:
For more information about 3MT please contact the UTAS 3MT Coordinator at Graduate.Research@utas.edu.au