Three Minute Thesis:
An internationally recognised competition

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is an academic competition that challenges students to present their research in just three minutes using only one slide. Held for the first time in at the University of Queensland in 2008, today over 900 universities in 85 countries hold a 3MT to celebrate exciting academic research. The 3MT competition provides an opportunity for students to showcase their research, develop their communication and presentation skills, and potentially win prizes to further support their academic pursuits.

The purpose of the 3MT has three main purposes:

1. Cultivate students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills.
2. Effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
3. Help build a research culture in institutions.

Rules and regulations

• 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.

Prizes

The winner will receive a cash prize of 500€, while the first runner up will receive 200€, and the second runner up will receive 100€. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive a cash prize of 200€.