Higher Degrees by Research...Start your 3MT journey here

An 80,000 word PhD thesis would take 9 hours to present.
Your time limit... 3 minutes.

The Three Minute Thesis competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by Doctor of Philosophy students. Developed by The University of Queensland, 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills.

The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

The idea for 3MT came about at a time when the state of Queensland was suffering severe drought. To conserve water, residents were encouraged to time their showers, and many people had a three minute egg timer fixed to the wall in their bathroom. The then Dean of the Graduate School, Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson, put two and two together and the idea for the 3MT competition was born.

The first 3MT competition was held at UQ in 2008 with 160 Higher Degree by Research candidates competing. In 2009 and 2010 the 3MT competition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew. Due to its adoption in numerous universities, a multi- national event was developed, and the Inaugural Trans- Tasman 3MT competition was held at UQ in 2010.

Since 2011 the popularity of the competition has increased and 3MT competitions are now held in over 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide.

In November 2013, the first Universitas 21 (U21) 3MT competition was held with several universities from around the world competing in a virtual competition.

2016 bought about an expansion of the Trans-Tasman 3MT competition to include universities from South-East and North Asia regions. The competition is now called the Asia-Pacific 3MT competition and is hosted annually by UQ.

In 2020 3MT moved to a temporary virtual format due to COVID-19 and has continued to be held around the word in either a virtual or live format (depending on local COVID-19 restrictions).

2008 - The first 3MT competition was held at UQ  with 160 Higher Degree by Research candidates competing.

2009 - The 3MT competition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew.

2010 - A multi- national event was developed, and the Inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT competition was held at UQ.

2013 - The first Universitas 21 (U21) 3MT Competition was held with several universities from around the world competing in a virtual   competition.

2016 - The Trans-Tasman 3MT competition expanded to include universities from South-East and North Asia regions and was renamed the Asia-Pacific 3MT Competition and is hosted annually by UQ.

2020 - 3MT moves to a temporary virtual format due to COVID-19.

2021 - 3MT continues to be held around the world in either a virtual or live format (depending on local COVID-19 restrictions)

Now - 3MT is held in over 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide.

Skills development for research candidates
Participating in 3MT develops academic, presentation and research communication skills, while developing research candidates’ ability to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Building research culture in universities
3MT provides a valuable opportunity for HDR candidates to come together (live or virtually), get to know one another and talk about their research. It also provides a supportive environment in which schools, institutes and universities can provide presentation skills training.

Building external relations for the university
3MT winners may go on to represent their university at national and international 3MT competitions which provides an excellent networking and professional development opportunity. Previous 3MT finalists have benefited from invitations to a variety of other networking events following their participation in the competition.

Winner of the 2014 UQ 3MT Dr Megan Rossi talks about how the 3MT competition helped her career.