3MT at QBS
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research competition which challenges doctoral candidates to deliver a compelling spoken presentation on their research topic and its significance in just three minutes.
The inaugural QBS 3MT competition will take place on Thursday 30 April 2026 between 10am - 2pm in the Harvard Lecture Theatre at Queen's Business School.
Participants will be judged on:
- Energy (delivery and communication)
- Engagement (connection with non-specialists)
- Clarity (language and explanation)
- Comprehension (effective use of slide)
Prizes
- £250 (towards training and equipment) + certificate: Judges’ Award
- £250 (towards training and equipment) + certificate: People’s Choice Award
- Certificates: First and Second Runners-up
- The winner will then be invited to take part in the QUB-wide 3MT competition on Thursday 11 June, hosted by the Thomas J Moran Graduate School.
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Background of 3MT
The 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is a concept developed by the University of Queensland in Australia, and has gone global.
An 80,000 word thesis would take approximately nine hours to present. 3MT challenges the PhD student to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
- Benefits of taking part
By participating in 3MT, PhD students get the chance to cultivate their academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Taking part gives students the opportunity to put their research on a global stage, and propel a successful academic career from the very beginning.
- Rules of competition
- 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.
- Eligibility
To participate, you must:
- be a currently enrolled QBS doctoral researcher
- be at a stage where you can clearly articulate your research (early/mid/late stage all welcome)
- be available to present in person on Thursday 30 April 2026
- comply with 3MT rules
- FAQs
Please see answers to FAQs here.
