Research and Innovation Services

Three Minute Thesis Competition

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic competition for research students, challenging them to present their research to a non-specialist audience and giving them the opportunity to practice their public engagement skills.

Anyone who is active in a PhD, MPhil or MRes or any other research programme (at any stage, including thesis under submission) is eligible to participate in 3MT, as long as the degree is at least two thirds research. 

Participants present their research verbally in just three minutes with related content presented on a single PowerPoint slide. One winner and two runners-up from each of the heats go through to the final.

In their presentations, participants should explain:

• What their research is about
• How they intend to carry out their research
• Why their research matters or/and who it affects.

The competition was initially developed at the University of Queensland, Australia and has since spread to other universities, with Glasgow's being the longest running version of the competition in Scotland. 

Why should I take part?

This event gives an opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills which are necessary within academia and outside, such as speaking in front of an audience and communicating complicated ideas in an clear, understandable manner. It provides participants with an opportunity to think creatively about how to communicate their research.

Prizes

The winners and runners-up of each heat win a small prize and everyone who takes part receives a certificate. The overall winner of the competition wins a £1000 travel/research grant, while the runner up wins £500, again for travel/research purposes. The audience also votes for its favourite presentation which receives a people's choice award of a £100 voucher.

How do I take part?

Registration for the 2022 competition closed on 14th February 2022.

Check back in January 2023 for updates on next year's competition.