Loughborough Doctoral College

Training and events

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Three Minute Thesis

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ).

Loughborough University’s Doctoral College is excited to announce this year’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition for Doctoral Researchers!

Entrants have three minutes (and a single, static, slide) in which to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its importance.

3MT® provides an excellent opportunity for participants to develop their communication and presentation skills. Moreover, 3MT® challenges Doctoral Researchers to share their ideas and discoveries concisely to non-specialists.

This year each School organised its won 3MT® competition and winners have been put forward to take part in the University’s 3MT® Grand Final at the Doctoral College’s Summer Showcase (28 June 2023, 9am-1:30pm).

All University 3MT® finalists will  receive a certificate of participation.

The winner of the University’s 3MT® Grand Final will receive £150 and will be put forward to enter Vitae's national 3MT® competition. There will also be ‘Runner-up’ and ‘People’s Choice’ prizes.

Competition Rules:

  • 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.

For more information about 3MT® and to watch presentions from around the world, please visit the UoQ's 3MT® webpages

If you have any questions about the Loughborough University 3MT® competitions, please contact Dr Katryna Kalawsky