UQ-IITD Research Academy 3MT Competition

The 2025 UQ–IITD Research Academy 3MT® Competition will showcase multidisciplinary and globally impactful research by joint doctoral candidates, by bringing together competitors from across the UQ-IITD joint PhD Program.

Date: Tuesday, 1 July 2025, as part of the UQ-IITD Research Academy Annual Symposium

Location: Room 206, Level 2, Steele Building (3), The University of Queensland, St Lucia

The format of the 2025 UQ–IITD Research Academy 3MT® Competition will be a live in-person event. All competitors are required to be judged on a live in-person performance. See Preparation and Rules below.

Register via the online registration form. By registering to participate in the UQ–IITD Research Academy 3MT® Competition, you agree to the Eligibility, Rules, and Judging Criteria provided below.

All UQ-IITD joint PhD candidates (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) who are present at the symposium, are eligible to participate in the UQ–IITD Research Academy 3MT® Competition if they are actively enrolled in their program. Graduates are not eligible.

Even the world’s best public speakers prepare before important presentations. To assist you with your preparations, you may wish to review the guide for competitors in the UQ 3MT Competition to help you in writing your presentation, creating your slide and practising your presentation.
 
The 2025 UQ–IITD Research Academy 3MT® Competition adheres to the rules followed by all 3MT Competitions at UQ:

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are allowed. 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 are to commence from the stage.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Competitors in the 2025 UQ–IITD Research Academy 3MT® Competition will be assessed on the same judging criteria as other 3MT competitions at UQ. Each criterion is equally weighted.

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; and
• 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; and
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.

The format of the 2025 UQ 3MT Competition at all levels is to be a live in-person event and all competitors are required to be judged on a live in-person performance.

• Winner: AUD $300, feature article promoting the winner’s PhD research, to be published on the UQ-IITD Academy’s and UQ Global Partnerships’ websites, UQ RAP water bottle

• Runner Up: AUD $200, UQ RAP water bottle

• People’s Choice Award*:  AUD $200, UQ RAP water bottle

*The People’s Choice Award will be decided by an online ballot at the event.