About 3 Minute Thesis

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT^®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.  It is open to all UTM Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students with active status. The participants are required to present their research in an engaging form that can be understood by a non-specialist audience for just 3 minutes. This competition boosts students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills and promotes their capability to explain their research effectively.

History of 3 Minute Thesis

The idea for 3MT was created when communities in Queensland, Australia suffered from severe drought. The residents were encouraged to limit their time for showers to conserve the water. All of them had a three-minute timer fixed at the bathroom wall. Based on their experience, the Dean of the Graduate School, Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson adopted it academically into 3 minutes thesis competition.

Why Participate?

Skills Development for Research Students

• 3MT encourages postgraduate students to enhance their presentation and research communication skills. It develops students’ ability to explain their research effectively to non-specialist audiences.

Building Research Culture in University

• 3MT provides a valuable opportunity for PhD students to share ideas and discuss their research virtually. It is a good platform offered by the University as part of its effort to encourage a vibrant community of research students and also as a preparation for viva-voce.

Building External Relations for the University

• 3MT winners will be able to represent their university at national and international 3MT competitions. It is a good platform which offers an excellent networking and professional development opportunity. The previous 3MT finalists have been benefited from invitations to a variety of other networking events following their participation in the competition.

Reference: threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au