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Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition

28 May 2024

Could you explain your entire thesis in three minutes? The annual 3MT Challenge is part of a global competition for UC postgraduate research students.

HOW TO APPLY

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an academic research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. It is an exciting, fast-paced event that is held annually in more than 900 universities in 85 countries.

This entertaining event gives thesis students the chance to present their research to a large audience while competing for a number of generous prizes. The presentation must be no more than three minutes, incorporating only one static PowerPoint slide. The overall University of Canterbury Doctoral winner will then go on to participate in the online Asia-Pacific 3MT® final. 

First Place: $3000 research grant

Second Place: $1500 research grant

Third Place: $750 research grant

Peoples Choice award: $500 research grant

The top Doctoral candidate will represent UC at the Asia-Pacific virtual event finals (hosted by the University of Queensland). Note this will be a recorded submission and support will be provided around recording.

The competition is open to:

Master's Research Students who are currently enrolled in a thesis (90 points or greater).

Doctoral Candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidate whose thesis is under examination) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in the 3MT competitions at all levels, including the Asia-Pacific 3MT competition. Graduates are not eligible.

Pre-confirmation doctoral candidates who are active in program are still eligible to participate in the UC 3MT competition for the first round of their relevant competition (Department or Faculty) but cannot advance to the second round or the UC 3MT Final.

UC Master's and Doctoral Thesis students must communicate their research in no more than three minutes, with the help of only one static title slide, with the presentation aimed at to a non-specialist audience. 

Each Faculty runs its own 3MT heats, with the heat finalists progressing to the 3MT finals held at the Research Student Showcase Event. The best doctoral entry will represent UC at the Asia-Pacific 3MT competition on Wednesday 15th October 2025 (virtual event). 

We are excited to announce that this year we will be hosting a live finals event once more! 

Title Slide: All entries will need to include a static title slide, check with your Department Coordinator about these requirements or download the standard 3MT title slide here: https://learn.canterbury.ac.nz/mod/resource/view.php?id=3653305 (clicking this link will download the file directly to your device). 

View 3MT competition rules

3MT Judging Criteria

3MT Competitor Guide


2025 Faculty Heat Information


Arts
DepartmentHeatsRegistration infoCoordinator contact

Thurs, 17th JulyEnter nowMaria Hellstrom
Business
DepartmentHeatsRegistration infoCoordinator contact

Thurs 10th July,
from 12pm,
Meremere 236
Enter nowLiz Liu 
Education
DepartmentHeatsRegistration infoCoordinator contact

11th July, 11.30am - 1.30pmEmail coordinatorShweta Sharma 
Engineering
Department   HeatsRegistration infoCoordinator contact

Heats: Tuesday 8th July

Faculty Final: Fri 18th July

Enter now

Chris Hann

(General enquiries)


James Hewett

(Registration enquiries)



George Stilwell

(Workshop enquiries)

Health
DepartmentHeatsRegisrtration infoCoordinator contact

Mon 14th July,
from 4pm,
Rehua 002
To register email 3MT PowerPoint slide to 
SHSSadmin by Tues 1 July
Michael Tarren-Sweeney
Law
DepartmentHeatsRegistration infoCoordinator contact

Fri, 25th JulyEmail Prof. Natalie Baird with your name and topic Natalie Baird
Science
DepartmentHeatsRegistration infoCoordinator contact

Faculty Final: Tues 15th JulyYou will need to participate in your Department Heat firstMarc Harris
Biological SciencestbcEmail coordinatorHazel Chapman 
Physics & ChemistryMon 23rd June, 1-2pmEmail coordinatorDanieal Sando
Psychology27th June, 2-4pm, Psychology-Sociology rm 252Enter nowAndrew Vonasch
Speech and HearingtbcEmail coordinatorMaggie Lee-Huckabee
Earth and EnvironmentTues 8th July, 1-3pm, Ernest Rutherford 263Email Bridget Ginley with your name and topicLeanne Morgan 

Workshops & resources to support participants
 
Technical Support from the Academic Skills Centre

For students who would like feedback on a preliminary/draft recording before they make their final submission, the Academic Skills Centre can provide honest and constructive feedback on how well you have met the UC Final 3MT Judging Criteria. Please email academicskills@canterbury.ac.nz or phone 03 369 3900 and ask for a “quick query” with either Julie or Jessi.

 

2024 3MT Competition Winners

3MT First place winner

1st Place - Brittany Ogden-Travis

Listening to Children in Aotearoa

EYT First place winner

2nd Place - Chris Kelly

Measuring Problematic Media Use in Children

3rd Place - Megan Eustace

Rongoā reo: Supporting Communication for Māori with Dementia

Previous Competitions

See who came 1st, 2nd and third place in past competitions, and view presentations of all finalists

3MT competition: Part of the annual Whakāturanga Rangahau | Research Student Showcase Event

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