3 Minute Thesis Competition

What is 3MT?

The Three Minute Thesis competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by Doctor of Philosophy students. Developed by The University of Queensland, 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills.

The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Trinity's competition is a joint endeavour between the Dean of Students, the Dean of Graduate Studies and the Dean of Research.

What are the 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

How are you judged?

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

Equal marks are allocated to both categories and you can expect to receive some basic feedback from the judging after the competition.

What do you win?

The Grand Prize is €500 and the winner will be entered into future national and international competitions.

The Runner-Up and People's Choice Award winner receive prizes generously sponsored by the Commercial Revenue Unit (CRU).

Key Dates

We will have two heats for successful applicants (check your email to see which heat you are enrolled in) and then the top contenders from each heat will advance to the Final on March 21st.

As the judging criteria also includes results from your research, this year we will have a separate competition for early PhDs (1st and 2nd year) on 12th March. It will follow the same format but entrants will not be eligible to compete in the Final.

Applications

Applications are open until the 9th of February 2024. Late applications may be considered on a case by case basis.

Training Workshop Recordings

We offer some online training workshops to help you prepare for the competition.

• Designing Your Slide: Advice on how to make the most of your slide
• Pitching Your Research: How to demystify your research for a non-specialist audience
• Presentation Skills: How to present with confidence
• Tips and Tricks: Last year's winner passing on their wisdom and experience!

2023

• Winner: Lianne Shanley, Dunne Lab, School of Biochemistry and Immunology; Kelly Lab, Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering
  Read The Instructions: Teaching your Immune System to Grow a New You
• Runner-Up: Agnieszka Pedrak, School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Studies
  How Far Does the Apple Fall from the Tree?
• People's Choice Award: Lianne Shanley, Dunne Lab, School of Biochemistry and Immunology; Kelly Lab, Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering
  Read The Instructions: Teaching your Immune System to Grow a New You

2022

• Winner: Sean McKenna, Dunne Lab, McGouran Group, School of Chemistry
  Synthetic Sleuthing: Chemical Biology For Deubiquitinase Detection
• Runner-Up: Lórien MacEnulty, Quantum Theory of Materials Group, School of Physics
  Saving Tony Stark with Quantum Materials Simulation
• People's Choice Award: Lórien MacEnulty, Quantum Theory of Materials Group, School of Physics
  Saving Tony Stark with Quantum Materials Simulation

Watch the previous winning presentations

• 2023 Winning Presentation Lianne Shanley
• 2023 Runner-Up Presentation Agnieszka Pedrak
• 2022 Winning Presentation Sean McKenna