3MT

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

An 80,000 word PhD thesis would take 9 hours to present. You have 3 minutes.

Watch the 2023 Final

About 3MT

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland, and celebrates the exciting research conducted by PhD students in Australia and around the world.

Contestants have just three minutes to explain their PhD research in language appropriate for a non-specialist audience.

Beginning in 2008, the first 3MT® competition was held at UQ with 160 Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates competing. Now, 3MT® is held in over 900 universities across more than 80 countries worldwide.

Monash University participates each year, with our winner going on to represent us at the 3MT Asia-Pacific finals.

Why participate?

Facts and figures

Develop your skills in communicating research to the general public
Celebrate your research, connect with your peers and raise your public profile
Receive 2 hours of MDP credit for participating
Be in the running to win prizes and represent Monash at the international stage

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Prizes View

Competition	Place	Prize
Monash University Final (Live Event)	Winner	$5000 and represent Monash at the virtual Asia Pacific Final
	Runner Up	$2000
	MGA People's Choice Award	$500
Asia Pacific Final (Virtual Event)	Winner	$5000 research grant
	Runner Up	$2000 research grant
	People's Choice	$1000 research grant

Key Dates View

March	Registrations open
April - June	Department/School/Institute/Faculty/Campus Rounds
19 July	Monash University Wild Card Event (Live)
23 August	Monash University Final (Live)
25 September	Asia-Pacific Semi-Final (Virtual)
9 October	Asia-Pacific Final Showcase & Judging (Virtual)
18 October	Asia-Pacific Final (Virtual) - winners announced

Rules & Eligibility View

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.

Note: If your department/school/faculty is hosting a virtual competition, please note that different rules apply. See virtual rules here.

Eligibility

To be eligible for 3MT, you must:

Be an active and attending PhD and Professional Doctorate Research (program composed of at least 2/3 research and eligible for RTP) candidate (including if your thesis is under submission);
Have successfully passed your confirmation milestone by the date of your first presentation in the competition;
Be an enrolled candidate for the entire time you are active within the competition. If you complete your degree while still active in the competition, you will need to withdraw.

Ineligible for 3MT are:

PhD and Professional Doctorate Research graduates;
PhD and Professional Doctorate Research candidates on a leave of absence;
Students enrolled in Masters (MPhil and coursework) and Professional Doctorate (coursework) programs.

Judging Criteria View

At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Note: the University of Queensland have added a new criterion^# for 2023.

Comprehension and content

Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question.
^#Presentation provided clear positionality* of the presenter to the research and research approach.
Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research.
Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research.

Engagement and communication

The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience.
The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation.
The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.

*Positionality is the social and political context that creates your identity in terms of race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability status. Positionality also describes how your identity influences, and potentially biases, your understanding of and outlook on the world.

Live Competitor Guide

Tips for preparing your live entry.
Virtual Competitor Guide

Tips for preparing a virtual entry (note: only applicable to faculty/school/department rounds that are taking place virtually. The Monash University final and wild card event will require live entries).