Three Minute Thesis

Official Three Minute Thesis Logo

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

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s Doctoral College and Enhanced Academic Practice were excited to organise this year’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition for Doctoral Researchers!

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

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

Each School organised a 3MT® competition and winners were put forward to take part in the University’s 3MT® Grand Final at the Doctoral College’s Summer Showcase. 

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.

This year's 3MT® º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Finalists were:

  • Parvathi Vasudevar ‘Sustainable Manufacturing of Advanced Ceramic Filter Structures’ (Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering) 
  • Venuka Kuruwita-Arachchige-Don ‘Strengths and Weaknesses vs Uniqueness’ (Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering) 
  • Gadibalwe Masalela ‘Cross-Border Banking and Climate Risk’ (º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Business School) 
  • Yishi E ‘How Contemporary Chinese Animation is Interpreted and Understood by Audiences in Different Cultural Contexts’ (Design and Creative Arts) 
  • Yilin Feng 'Your Personal AI Shopping Assistant’(London) 
  • Monica Gill 'Making Hydrogen – That will do nicely!’ (Science) 
  • Huiyu Yin ‘The Transformation of Chinese Nationalism and the Naturalization of Athletes for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games’ (Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences) 
  • Samia Qamar '‘Optimal Energy Efficient Control of Electric Vehicles using Eco Driving’ (Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering) 

 This year’s judging panel comprised: 

  • Professor Steve Christie (Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor – Doctoral College) 
  • Dr Tina Byrom (Head of Enhanced Academic Practice – Organisational Development & Change) 
  • Martyn Edwards (Director of Marketing & Advancement) 
  • Dr Joanne Jennings (Visiting Member).

The competition results are as follows:

  • Winner: Samia Qamar 
  • Runner-Up: Venuka Kuruwita-Arachchige-Don and Huiyu Yin
  • People's Choice:  Samia Qamar 

As the University's 3MT® winner, Samia has now been put forward to enter regional and national 3MT® competitions!

For more information about 3MT® and to watch presentations from around the world, please visit the University of Queensland's 3MT® webpages.  

If you have any questions about the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ's 3MT® competition, please contact Dr Katryna Kalawsky.