Three Minute Thesis

Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland which challenges research higher degree students to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance in just three minutes in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. The next competition will take place in 2024. 

The previous competition (February 2023)

The Doctoral School will host the University of Lincoln Final at the Postgraduate Research Student Showcase Conference, which will be held on the 28th and 29th February 2024.

Two awards will be presented at the final – Panel Winner and People’s Choice winner – and the panel winner of the University of Lincoln final will then go forward to the UK Online Semi-final in July hosted by Vitae as well as represent the University of Lincoln at the EMDoc regional final (around September 2024).

The top six contestants at the Semi-Final will go on to the UK final which will take place online.

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description, 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 will take place online. Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Doctoral candidates who have not yet had their viva at the time of the local competition will be eligible to participate. Graduates will not be permitted to enter. Anyone who is undertaking a professional/named/higher doctorate is not eligible.

  • Vitae Three Minute Thesis Competition webpage

Watch Three Minute Thesis

The following videos are all 3MT winners and the University of Lincoln semi finalists, watching these will give you an idea of what the competition is about and you can also pick up tips on your own 3 Minute Thesis:

Sean Smart - 2022 Finalist

Jakub Ciesielczuk - 2021 Finalist

Bradley Allsop | 2018 Finalist

Hear from the 2018 University of Lincoln finalist, Bradley Allsop, discussing ‘Politics in the Neoliberal State: Citizenship, Consumption & Challenge’.

Jamie Kunz | 2017 Finalist

Discover more about environmental law and justice from the 2017 University of Lincoln finalist, Jamie Kunz.

Ryan Austin | 2016 Finalist

Discover more about using Strontium Isotopes for Geolocation from the 2016 University of Lincoln finalist, Ryan Austin.