(Virtual) Three Minute Thesis

About

An 80,000 word thesis would take 9 hours to present

Their time limit…3 minutes

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a National competition for postgraduate research students, run by research organisation Vitae. 3MT® challenges doctoral candidates to present a compelling spoken presentation on their research topic and its significance in just three minutes. The first 3MT® was held at The University of Queensland in Australia in 2008, and has been nationwide in the UK by Vitae since 2014. More information about the history of 3MT® can be found on the Vitae and 3MT® websites.

We are continuing to run a virtual 3MT competition according to guidance from Vitae, and the rules set out by The University of Queensland. The process will be as follows: 

• PGRs who wish to enter the competition should complete the application form by Friday 27th May at 5pm GMT*. 
  
• Participants will be contacted given a time and date to present their 3MT on Teams to a member of the Researcher Development team
• Participants will be asked to send their single PowerPoint slide in advance of their presentation
• These ‘live’ presentations will be recorded and sent to the judges with the PowerPoint slides, who will independently score the presentations
• The scores will be combined and an average taken to identify our top three entries
• These three entries will be asked to present live at our hybrid final at the Devon and Exeter Institute to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
• Towards the end of Showcase week, videos of the presentations will be released on twitter and our website to enable the wider community to vote for a People’s Choice winner.

*Please note new date

How to Apply

Registration for Three Minute Thesis 2022 is open, and will close on Friday 27th May at 5pm GMT*.

Three Minute Thesis Rules

Make sure you read the international 3MT® rules before applying:

• 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).
• 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 movement or speech.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Conditions of entry

All entrants must be a current ‘in progress’ doctoral postgraduate researchers at the University of Exeter – MRes students and students on interruption, are not eligible due to international rules.

*Please note new date

Judging

Three Minute Thesis Judging Criteria

Comprehension and content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed, while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement and communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialise or generalise their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

The judges this year will be:

• Garth Davies, Head of Press and Public Affairs
  
• Israa Kadhim, Post Graduate Reasearcher, College of Life and Environmental Sciences
• Professor Kim Peters, Director of Post Graduate Research, Business School
• Dr Chris Wood, Head of Researcher Development and Research Culture