Three Minute Thesis

Official Three Minute Thesis Logo

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ).

Loughborough University’s Doctoral College and Enhanced Academic Practice are excited to announce this year’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition for Doctoral Researchers!

Entrants have three minutes (and a single, static, slide) in which to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its importance.

3MT® provides an excellent opportunity for participants to develop their communication and presentation skills. Moreover, 3MT® challenges Doctoral Researchers to share their ideas and discoveries concisely to non-specialists.

Each School will organise a 3MT® competition (dates and times to be confirmed) and winners will be put forward to take part in the University’s 3MT® Grand Final at the Doctoral College’s Summer Showcase. 

The winner of the Grand Final will receive £150 and will be put forward to enter regional and national 3MT® competitions. There will also be ‘Runner-up’ and ‘People’s Choice’ prizes. All finalists will receive a certificate of participation.

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.

This year's 3MT® Loughborough University Finalists are listed below:

  • Parvathi Vasudevar (Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering) 
  • Venuka Kuruwita-Arachchige-Don (Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering) 
  • Gadibalwe Masalela (Business) 
  • Yishi E (Design and Creative Arts) 
  • Yilin Feng (London) 
  • Monica Gill (Science) 
  • Huiyu Yin (Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences) 
  • Samia Qamar (Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering) 

The judging panel has been assembled and is preparing to carry out the difficult task of choosing the ultimate winner. This year’s judging panel is: 

  • Professor Steve Christie (Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor – Doctoral College) 
  • Dr Tina Byrom (Head of Enhanced Academic Practice – Organisational Development & Change) 
  • Martyn Edwards (Director of Marketing & Advancement) 
  • Dr Joanne Jennings (Visiting Member) 

For more information about 3MT® and to watch presentations from around the world, please visit the University of Queensland's 3MT® webpages.  You may also wish to watch Vitae's 2023 National 3MT® competition to see Ridzuan A-Rasid (winner of Loughborough University's 2023 3MT® Final) in action! Ridzuan received People’s Choice Award and £1,000 prize fund to put towards public engagement activities for his research! Ridzuan also won the East Midlands Doctoral Network Three Minute Thesis Competition and it's People’s Choice Award.

If you have any questions about the Loughborough University's 3MT® competition, please contact Dr Katryna Kalawsky.