Presents
®
Three Minute Thesis (3MT )
Information Booklet
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is 3MT? ................................................................................................................................................3
History ............................................................................................................................................................3
Why Participate..............................................................................................................................................3
Eligibility .........................................................................................................................................................3
Progression .....................................................................................................................................................4
Rules ...............................................................................................................................................................4
Prizes ..............................................................................................................................................................5
Key Dates .......................................................................................................................................................5
Registration .....................................................................................................................................................6
Judging Criteria ..............................................................................................................................................7
Useful Tips .....................................................................................................................................................8
Frequently Asked Questions .........................................................................................................................8
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WHAT IS 3MT?
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic competition developed by The University of
Queensland (UQ), Australia for research students. Research higher degree (PhD and MPhil/ MRes
etc.) students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis topic and its
significance. 3MT is not an exercise in trivialising research, but challenges students to consolidate their
ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.
HISTORY
The first 3MT was held at The University of Queensland in 2008 with 160 RHD students competing.
Enthusiasm for the 3MT concept grew and its adoption by numerous universities led to the
development of an international competition. The inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT was held at UQ in
2010 with 33 universities participating. In 2011, 43 universities were represented in the Trans-Tasman
3MT that was hosted by The University of Western Australia, and for the first time students from the
United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Hong Kong took part in their own regional events.
The competition ran for the first time at the University of Glasgow in 2013 and again in 2014. We hope
that the 2015 competition will be even bigger and better.
WHY PARTICIPATE
This event gives an opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills which are necessary within
academia and outside, such as: presenting, speaking in front of a public, communicating complicated
ideas and concepts in an understandable manner.
This event is not only for science students but for all research students irrespective of their background.
The main idea of the event is to present the research in 3 minutes, to audience and judges coming from
different fields. The interdisciplinary competition makes the event unique. The overall aim of the event
is to give research students opportunity to present complicated ideas in a creative and succinct manner,
learning from each other and the approaches taken in different fields.
ELIGIBILITY
Anyone who is active in a *PhD or *MPhil or *MRes or any other research programme (at any stage,
including thesis under submission) will be eligible to participate in 3MT. Graduates are not eligible.
* Note: degree must be at least two thirds research
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PROGRESSION
The following chart outlines the progression of students throughout the competition. Please note that
the winner of each heat is expected to represent their College at the final of the competition. If the
winner is unable to attend the finale, the runner-up will proceed.
Winner
Runner Up
People’s Choice
Final
20th March 2015
3pm-5pm
3 winners
3 winners
3 winners
3 winners
Heat -1
Heat- 2
Heat-3
Heat-4
9th March
10th March
11th March
12th March
2pm-4pm
2pm-4pm
2pm-4pm
2pm-4pm
Science and
Engineering
Arts
Medical,
Veterinary and
Life Science
Social
Science
RULES

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). Note this
should be set
to
widescreen.
For help on how to
do
this, check here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/powerpoint-help/change-the-slide-size-to-standard-or-widescreen-HA102893534.aspx

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 (eg. no poems, raps or songs).
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
Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation
through movement or speech.

The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Please note that the organizers reserve the right to alter any of the rules at any stage, if deemed
necessary in its opinion, and if circumstances arise outside of its control.
PRIZES
University of Glasgow will award winners of the final with the following prizes at the 3MT 2015.
• First Prize: £1000 research travel grant
• Runner-up: £500 research travel grant
• People’s Choice: Amazon Kindle
£ 50 Amazon vouchers will be awarded to winner (First) of each of the individual college heats and £20
to each of the two runners up. All participants will receive a certificate.
KEY DATES
REGISTRATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN HEATS

starts – 12th January 2015

closes – 23rd February 2015
**Please register with the name that you wish us to use on the event programme**

slides and titles to be provided to competition organisers – by 5pm on 6th March 2015.
HEATS

Venue: Seminar room of the Gilchrist PG club, in the main university building.

Time: 2pm-5pm

Dates
o
Science and Engineering – 9th March 2015
o
Arts – 10th March 2015
o
MVLS – 11th March 2015
o
Social Sciences – 12th March 2015
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FINALE

Date: 20 March 2015

Time- 3 pm to 5 pm (including a wine reception)

Venue- Senate Room, main university building
TH
MAP: www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_1887_en.pdf
REGISTRATION
Registration is currently open. Students can register at http://3mtglasgow.eventbrite.co.uk
Please note:
1. The winner of each heat or final is expected to represent their college at the next stage of the
competition. If the winner is unable to attend the final, the runner-up will proceed to the next round of
the competition in their place.
2. Students from College of Science and Engineering and the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life
sciences will receive 1 credit for their participation in the heats. This credit will count towards the
training they are expected to undertake as an integral part of the research programme. Participation
would mean registering for the event and presenting their 3 minute talk in front of the judges.
3. For other colleges, although there is no formal credits system in place, this competition will count
towards the training/ seminars students are expected to undertake/ attend as an integral part of your
research programme and students should record their attendance as part of the annual progress review.
4. If a registered student cannot turn up for the event, then the same should be notified 1 week in
advance. In such cases no incentives will be provided to the student.
*Places are limited. So register as soon as possible.
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JUDGING CRITERIA
The individual college heats will be judged by 3 judges (same college as the participants but different
schools) and 1 moderator (independent of college). The finale will be judged by 5 judges (from various
academic and non academic fields).
Each competitor will be judged on the three judging criteria listed below. Please note that each criterion
is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.
1. Comprehension:
 Did the presentation help the audience understand the research?
 Did the presenter clearly outline the nature and aims of research?
 Did the presenter outline what is significant about this research?
 Did the presentation follow a logical sequence?
2. Engagement:
 Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
 Was the presenter careful not to trivialise or dumb down their research?
 Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their work?
 Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
 Would I like to know more about the speaker's research?
3. Communication style:
 Was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to a nonspecialist audience?
 Did the speaker use sufficient eye contact and vocal range, maintain a steady pace, and a
confident stance?
 Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology that needed to be used, and
provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
 Did the presenter spend the right amount of time on each element of their presentation – or
did they elaborate for too long or were rushed?
 Did the PowerPoint slide enhance, rather than detract from, their presentation – was it clear,
legible, and concise?
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USEFUL TIPS
What to include in the talk:
 Present an oration about what you are doing, how you are doing and why in a way that engages
the audience, without reducing research to purely entertainment value.
 The what, how and why of your research should be in your thesis abstract anyway. Think of this
as the user friendly version.
 The results are not explicitly mentioned in the judging criteria so you do don’t have to report
them.
Terminology used:
 Presenter should not be too technical.
 Presenter should avoid the use of Jargons without explaining them.
PowerPoint slide




Presenter should avoid putting too much content on slide.
Small fonts / wacky fonts make a bad impression.
Lot of fonts with different colors is distracting.
Please note, for filming purposes, slides should be set to widescreen format (16:9). For
information on how to do this, check here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/powerpoint-help/change-the-slide-size-to-standard-or-widescreen-HA102893534.aspx
Structure
The talk should have a proper structure which makes it easy and interesting to listen – What, How and
Why.
Reading from notes
The presenter should avoid reading from notes as it is makes the audience less involved due to minimal
eye contact.
Films from last year’s talks can be found here:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/students/researcherdevelopment/threeminutethesiscompetition/
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following FAQs may assist students wishing to participate in 3MT.
1. What proportion of my RHD has to have a research component for me to be eligible to
compete?
Two-thirds of your degree must be research.
2. Can I present my oration as a poem, rap or song?
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No. While we appreciate everyone has a different presentation style, the purpose of the activity
is to "engage the audience without reducing research to entertainment value alone”. 3MT is
primarily about developing a student’s oration skills. It is important that the competition is not
seen as trivialising research or science.
3. Does my slide have to be in PowerPoint?
No, however it is our preferred format as all slides will be collated into a single PowerPoint
presentation for competition.
4. How many transitions or animations can I have in my slide?
None. The slide must be static and not change in any way during the presentation. Your slide
must be displayed for the duration of your presentation.
5. Do I have to use a slide?
No. The slide is optional as the emphasis is on the oration.
6. What happens if my presentation is longer than 3 minutes?
A 20 second warning will be provided to competitors (a board held up by timekeeper) and a
bell will sound at the three minute limit. If a presenter continues to speak after the bell they will
be automatically disqualified.
7. Is there a dress code?
There is no stipulated dress requirement such as ‘smart casual’. Some have worn suits with ties,
others t-shirts and jeans. Please wear whatever is comfortable for you. NO COSTUMES
(including hats, masks, Dame Edna specs, etc).
8. Can I win more than one category?
Yes, it is possible to win a place (First, Runner-Up, etc) and win the People’s Choice award.
9. What happens if I cannot attend the Final?
The winner of each heat or final is expected to represent their college at the next stage of the
competition. If the winner is unable to attend the final, the runner-up will proceed to the next
round of the competition.
Further information
If you have any queries about 3MT please email 3MTglasgow@gmail.com or
Facebook Page – 3MT Glasgow
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