Three Minute Thesis

One thesis. Three minutes.

Can you present your PhD thesis in just three minutes? Join this year's Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)! In this competition, your challenge is to creatively condense your research into a three-minute presentation to a general audience.

Check out the prizes, know the rules and judging criteria, and see if you're eligible.

Register here

Key dates 2019

You'll need to be available during key dates of the competition.

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland, Australia.

Wildcard round

A Wildcard round will be held following the faculty rounds and before the Monash University finals. Each faculty will send in one competitor as a representative, who competed in but did not win their faculty final, usually the faculty's People's Choice. The winner of the Wildcard round will proceed to compete in the Monash University finals.

Finalists' presentation training

All faculty final winners and Wildcard winner will be provided training to develop presentation skills, in preparation for the Monash University finals.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate, by the date of your first presentation, you must:

• be an enrolled doctoral student
• have successfully passed your confirmation milestone (even if your thesis is under submission or examination)

Prizes

Rules

• Only one single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. The slide must be presented at the start of the presentation.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are allowed.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are allowed.
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum. Any presenters 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 judging panel is final.

Judging criteria

Comprehension and content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed, while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement and communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialise or generalise their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

Contact

The Three Minute Thesis at Monash University is delivered by the Monash Graduate Research Office.