What is Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
The Three Minute Thesis (often abbreviated to 3MT) is a hugely successful international competition which sees higher degree research candidates demonstrating their communication skills while showcasing their research. Participants present to non-specialist audiences giving insight into their research and its importance, in accessible and engaging language, for three short minutes, using only a single PowerPoint slide. It is the ultimate test of the researcher as communicator. The winner of the #ANU3MT final will go on to compete in the Asia Pacific final, which in 2023 will be a virtual, submission-by-video event.
This year's ANU Three Minute Thesis competition proved - yet again - that not only is ANU a world leader in research, but that its researchers are some of the best communicators around. Huge congratulations go to Saishyam Ramesh, from the Maier lab, who is researching cholesterol uptake in malaria parasites, for picking up both the first prize and the People's Choice award and Nick Bariesheff, from the Clear Vision Research Lab, who is researching exercise and vision science, and who performed brilliantly in second place.
ANU has achieved incredible success in the 3MT competition over the years. In 2021, Tharika Liyanage from the Research School of Earth Sciences won silver in the 3MT Virtual Asia Pacific final, in 2019, Lithin Louis from the John Curtin School of Medical Research won silver in the 3MT Asia Pacific final in Brisbane, in 2016 Joshua Chu-Tan from the John Curtin School of Medical Research won the 3MT Asia Pacific final in Brisbane and in 2014, Rosanna Stevens from the College of Arts and Social Sciences won second place and people's choice in the Trans-Tasman final at the University of Western Australia.
The ANU also hosts the largest final in the world, with over 1,000 people attending annually to witness the communication skills of our PhD candidates and to hear how they are changing the world around them and making it a better place.
Why should I take part in 3MT?
Whether you like it or not, to have any chance at succeeding these days, you need to be able to talk about who you are and what you do to any audience, in any context and in any format. 3MT provides the opportunity for HDR candidates to develop the presentation skills that are crucial for a successful career post-PhD - both inside and outside academia. If you are interested in 3MT or are just keen to develop your communication and presentation skills, come along to the training on offer in the table below. There is no expectation on you to compete. Please note, only enrolled ANU HDR candidates may participate in the ANU 3MT Final.
2023 competition dates
May 9 |
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May 18 |
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May 25 |
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May 31 |
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June 14 |
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June 16 to 29 |
College heats take place |
June 30 |
Finalists announced |
July 4 |
Finalists planning meeting |
July 10 to 14 |
One-on-one coaching for finalists |
July 17 |
Communication/presentation skills workshop 1 |
July 19 |
Communication/presentation skills workshop 2 |
July 20 |
Individual training sessions |
July 21 |
Technical rehearsal |
July 25 |
Full dress rehearsal |
July 26 |
Grand Final Eve competitors’ event |
July 27 |
ANU 3MT Final |
October 18 |
Asia-Pacific 3MT Final |
To receive information about 3MT training, please complete the form here.
Prizes
The Dean HDR will generously award a total prize pool of $12,000 at the 2023 final as follows:
- $4,000 will be provided to the winner of the ANU final
- $2,500 prize for the second runner up
- $1,000 prize for the people’s choice
- A $500 research grant will go to all remaining finalists presenting in the ANU 3MT 2023 final
3MT Finalists
Twelve candidates from the colleges will go through to the ANU final as follows:
- COS: 3
- CHM: 2
- CAP: 2
- CASS: 2
- CECS: 1
- CBE: 1
- CoL: 1
ANU Final Eligibility
Only active ANU PhD and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have successfully passed thesis proposal review (TPR) are eligible to compete in the ANU final – this includes candidates who have submitted, but not graduated. MPhil and pre-TPR PhD and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who are active in program are eligible to participate in the College finals, but cannot advance to the ANU 3MT final.
ANU 3MT finalists are ineligible for any further competitions, at the school or college level. Instead, we encourage their participation and involvement as role models and ambassadors. Candidates that have participated in a school or college level and have not continued on to the ANU Final are welcome and encouraged to participate at the school or college level again.
ANU 3MT Final Rules
The ANU 3MT final at Llewellyn Hall will showcase of twelve live presenters. Judges will use the same criteria for the selection of prize winners across the whole showcase. In the event that a nominated finalist is unable to attend, their runner up will be offered a chance to present. Please note that participation in the competition training post-June 30 is mandatory for all finalists, and that 3MT is an in-person competition with remote presentation not permitted.
Judging criteria
At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Please note that each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.
Comprehension & content
- Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
- Did the presentation clearly describe any key results of the research, conclusions and outcomes achieved thus far?
- Was the presentation well structured and follow a clear and logical sequence?
- Was the language used in the presentation appropriate for a non-specialist audience?
Engagement & communication
- Did the presentation make the audience want to know more?
- Did the presenter convey their enthusiasm for their research?
- Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
- Did the speaker have a good stage presence?
- Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation – was it clear, legible, and concise?
ANU 3MT Final tickets
To book tickets for the ANU Final at 6pm on July 27, please go to Eventbrite here; tickets are free, but capacity is limited so early booking is encouraged. And, if you can't join us in person, why not watch the livestream of the event? Register here and we'll send you a reminder the day before to make sure you don't miss out.
Some suggested resources
- 3MT: the three most common mistakes
- 3MT: three tips to help you prepare a winning presentation
- Three Minute Theatre: research pitch meets dramatic monologue
- Three Minute Theatre pitch in the style of Three Minute Thesis
- How to talk about your thesis in three minutes by Prof. Inger Mewburn
- Presenting Online
- All in three: How to pitch your PhD in 180 seconds
- https://www.pexels.com/
- https://unsplash.com/
- PowerPoint School on YouTube
- PowerPoint Designer
- 60 Effective PowerPoint Presentation Tips (To Improve Your Skills)
And remember: You Tube and Vimeo are your friends!
One of the advantages of the digital age is that pretty much anything worth seeing is out there somewhere online! Go to your favourite search engine and enter “3MT” and you will find literally hundreds and hundreds of examples of powerful presentations. Be inspired, analyse why they were successful, and apply what you learn to make your own presentations just that little bit better.