3MT®
An 80,000 word PhD thesis would take 9 hours to present: their time limit is 3 minutes! 3MT® was first developed by the University of Queensland, and is now a global initiative with around 80 UK universities taking part in the Vitae 3MT® national competition each year.
Participation in the competition helps PhD researchers to build their confidence and hone their presentation and communication skills. It is also a great way for others to find out about the exciting and varied research going on across the University at doctoral level.
- The 3MT® Initial Heats
- The 3MT® Semi-Finals
- The 3MT® Final
3MT 2025 dates will be announced soon!
3MT Ulster 2024 Final
Previous Winners
2024 - James McMullan
James mcMullan won the Ulster 3MT competition and won the national 3MT® UK People's Choice Award in October 2024 with his presentation.
2023 - Erin McEvoy
2022 - Yasna Najmi
2021 - Holly Neill
2020 - Emma Nolan
2019 - Oluwashina Akinsanmi
Oluwashina Akinsanmi won the Ulster 3MT competition and went on to win the national 3MT® UK People's Choice Award in September 2019 with an outstanding and expertly timed presentation.
2018 - Temilola Olanrewaju
In 2018 the 3MT Winner at Ulster, Temilola Olanrewaju, made it through to the last 12 semi-finalists out of 77 UK universities.
About the Competition
The 2024 competition will be held using a hybrid approach with Initial Heats being submitted by video and Semi-Finals and the Final being held in person.
Participants will submit a video recording of their presentation and a panel of five judges will review each entry, along with their slide and 100 word summary.
The Semi-Finalists will be selected to present their 3MT on campus on 22/23/24 May TBC.
Eight competitors will then be selected to compete in the Ulster University 3MT Final on 6 June 2024 in Coleraine campus at an event that will also include an Awards Presentation.
The overall winner of the Ulster competition will then go through to the quarter-final stage of the 2024 Vitae 3MT national competition -a video recording is submitted online to be judged by a panel.
Why do the 3MT
Dates
The key competition dates are:
| Competition Details | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Form Deadline | 30 March 2024 | Online |
Initial Heat for all PhD Researchers - to submit video online | 22 April 2024 | Online Online |
|
Semi-Finals Judging Panel to select Finalists | 22/23/24 May 2024 | On campus |
Ulster 3MT® Final (alongside PhD Awards Presentation Event) | 6 June 2024, 12pm | Coleraine campus |
Semi Final of National 3MT Competition (video to be submitted) UK Finalists announced in mid-August | June/July 2024 | Online |
Final of Vitae 2024 3MT National Competition | September | TBC |
Rules and Criteria
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Eligibility
Active PhD and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have successfully passed their Confirmation of Registration assessment, i,e. at the end of first year (or part time equivalent) (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in the 3MT® competition.
If you are competing, or thinking of competing this year, please check out the full competition details, including rules and judging criteria.
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Competition 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.
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Judging criteria
Comprehension and 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 and logical sequence?
- Was the thesis topic, key results and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
- Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
- 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?
Prizes
Winner of Ulster 3MT
£300 and trophy
Runner Up
£100 and trophy
Finalists
£50 Amazon Voucher
The People’s Choice Award
£100 and Trophy
How we will help you
The Doctoral College will offer support to 3MT® entrants.
This includes the workshop on Communicating Your Research to a Non-Research Audience (offered as part of your Researcher Development Programme). This will help you get started with planning and developing your 3MT® presentation.
The Doctoral College provides you with access to online training for the 3MT®.
Further support will be available for the Finalists and the winner who will progressing to entry in the Vitae national 3MT® competition.
Full details of criteria are on the University of Queensland 3MT page.
Further details and useful resources
All Ulster 3MT Finalist videos are on the Doctoral College YouTube channel:
- Is it worth doing the three minute thesis?- By Mary Woessner, Victoria University
- How to win the 3 minute thesis- By Dr Inger Mewburn (aka @thesiswhisperer)
- Making the most of your 3 minutes- Simon Clews, University of Melbourne
- Talk nerdy to me - Melissa Marshall's TED talk
Contact
For further information and queries about the 3MT® competition please contact Lisa Thompson.
Lisa Thompson
Doctoral Development Manager-
Key responsibilities
- Leads the development and delivery of the Researcher Development Programme for PhD researchers and supervisors
- Advises on policy and procedures for Researcher Development
- Leads communications with PhD researchers