Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition

Registering for 3MT competition

Students competing by pre-recorded videos

Slide and Video recording for pre-recorded presentations.

3MT Slide
Your 3MT slide must appear in your video. If you are including your slide side-by-side with yourself in the video, you may find a ‘standard size’ slide will be easier to ‘fit’ in your video. You will also need to include an ‘competitor introductory slide’ that is added at the front of your video – example next slide.
Video
To make your video, follow the instructions in the 3MT video recording competitor guide (includes how to add your ‘introductory’ slide and your 3MT slide.) Use a file sharing service to submit your video. Share with Tania Lerch t.lerch@curtin.edu.au.

Competition resources

To help prepare for 3MT, view these resources from competition owners, The University of Queensland:

About 3MT
Watch 3MT presentations from around the world
3MT competitor guide
Covers 3MT drafting, 3MT slide, 3MT presentation + examples of 3MT presentations
3MT video recording competitor guide
Use this guide if you are submitting a video entry. Covers covers 3MT drafting, 3MT slide, 3MT presentation + 3MT recording, 3MT video submission and examples of 3MT virtual presentations.
Download a template to create your ‘identifying slide’:
All competitors are requested to submit an identifying slide in addition to their ‘3MT slide’. If you are participating using a pre-recording video, both the identifying slide and your 3MT slide must feature in your recording. There are two slide sizes to choose from:
- 3MT Competitor identifying details slide (standard size)
- 3MT Competitor identifying details slide (widescreen size)

Eligibility and entry requirements

All inquiries should be sent to ROC-excellence@curtin.edu.au.

If you are sharing a video recording via a file-sharing service, share with Tania Lerch at t.lerch@curtin.edu.au.

Eligibility

3MT is open to doctoral* research students who have passed Milestone 1 and who have not/will not have passed their thesis by end of August 2024.

*Master by Research students can enter the Curtin competition.

A Master student can place first (as judged by the judging panel) and receive the top monetary prize ($1,000). However,
A Master student is not eligible to represent Curtin in the Asia-Pacific final (UQ rule). In this circumstance, the highest placed doctoral student will represent Curtin at the Asia Pacific competition.

Register your details for the Curtin 3MT by 5pm Thursday 15 August 2024

Email your registration details to ROC-excellence@curtin.edu.au.

Submit your slide (and video if applicable) by 5pm Monday 19 August 2024

Slide – widescreen format is preferred for in-person presenters.
Your name, school and the title of your 3MT slide will be included on a ‘Competitor identifying details slide’ (displayed at the 3MT heats and final). Do not put your name and school on your 3MT slide.
You can include the title of your 3MT on your slide if desired.
See 3MT slide for rules and suggestions.

Judging criteria

Please read the UQ 3MT judging criteria and to download the Judging Rubric.

Comprehension and content

Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question
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

Students submitting a video presentation will not be judged on video/recording quality or editing capabilities of optional inclusions. However, the audio must be of sufficient quality for the voice to be clearly heard and understood. Judging will focus on the presentation, the ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience and the 3MT slide.

Important dates 2024

Workshop part 1: Tuesday 13 August, 12pm – 2pm*

Workshop part 2: Thursday 15 August, 12pm – 2pm*

*invitations including details will be emailed to registered 3MT participants, or, Email t.lerch@curtin.edu.au to receive an invitation

Registrations due Thursday 15 August (see Registration instructions above)

Slide due date (+ video if competing by pre-recorded video) – Monday 19 August

Heats (Bentley campus) – Friday 23 August, 9.30am – 1.30pm

Final (Bentley campus) – Thursday 29 August, 2pm – 4.00pm

Due date for winner to provide video of their presentation – Friday 6 September

Prizes 2024

Previous 3MT winners

2023

Winner – Taryn Scharf, Geoscience, Earth and Planetary Science Tools to see through time

Runner Up – Anjali Ghimire, Curtin Medical School, Shaping survival: The power of anticipating liver cancer

People’s Choice – Belinda Neo, Curtin Medical School, Advancing our understanding of vitamin D in Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander people

2022

Winner – Denby Evans, Population Health, The Mystery of Preterm Lung Disease: Do Airway Cells Hold the Missing Clues?

Runner Up – Md Nuruzzaman, Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Saving Nemo

2021

Winner – Andrea Stephenson, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences Goldilocks and the three vitamin D doses: A cognitive assessment

Runner-up – Rachel Berryman, Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, Analysing Virtual Influencers

People’s Choice – Andrea Stephenson, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences Goldilocks and the three vitamin D doses: A cognitive assessment

2020

Winner – Robert Atkinson, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Everyone has had a bruise

Runner up – Ashley Hollings, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Developing Methods to Study Brain Zinc During Ageing

People’s Choice – Aaron Wei Jie Tung, School of Management, Effectively Navigating the Offshore Decommissioning Landscape

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition

3MT competition 2024