Three Minute Thesis Competition

An academic competition that challenges Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates to explain their thesis and its significance in just three minutes.

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a competition that celebrates the exciting research conducted by Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates. The 3MT was developed by The University of Queensland (UQ) and is now a prestigious international event run by universities all over the world.

The 3MT challenges HDR candidates to present their research to a non-specialist audience in a clear and engaging way in under three minutes, with only one slide to support their presentation. 3MT cultivates HDR candidates’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills.

About the 3MT at RMIT

HDR candidates participate in heats at local level (School/College), and the winners will go on to compete at the RMIT 3MT final. The winner of the RMIT 3MT final will go on to compete at the Asia-Pacific 3MT final.

Eligibility

PhD student who has passed confirmation by the time for the final (usually held in July/August), and maintains enrolment in their degree throughout the competition (not on leave of absence or under examination).

Rules

A single, static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description; 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).

How to participate

Attend training.
Sign up and compete in local heats.
Heat winners go on to compete in the final competition.
The winner of the RMIT final proceeds to the Asia-Pacific 3MT final hosted by the University of Queensland.

RMIT Final Prizes

Winner $3,500 research grant.
Runner-up $1,000 research grant.
People’s Choice Award $500 research grant.

For more information about the RMIT 3MT competition, including dates and registration for 3MT training and heats, see our 3MT Sharepoint site (RMIT students and staff only).