![](/wcm/assets/media/46/banner/78708.jpg")
Three Minute Thesis
An 80,000 word thesis would take nine hours to present. Your time limit... three minutes!
3MT is returning to Sussex for 2025! The final will take place on campus on Friday 20 June as part of the Summer of Research.
About 3MT
3MT is an academic competition that challenges postgraduate researchers (PGRs) to deliver a compelling spoken presentation on their research topic and its significance in just three minutes. It started at the University of Queensland and competitions take place at institutions around the world each year.
Participants at Sussex compete for a chance to win £500 towards research and a place in the Vitae UK semi-finals. There are also prizes of £250 for the runner-up and People's Choice. Entrants are supported with training and a peer practice session to help hone those presenting skills.
About the 2025 competition
This year, to open the competition to more researchers, 3MT heats will take place in each of the four faculties, with the top three from each going forward to the Sussex final in June.
The heats take place in a more informal setting, giving you a more gentle introduction to presenting your research in the build-up to the big event, and are a chance to share your work researchers outside your immediate environment and across your broader discipline.
If you are considering taking part in this years 3MT then check out our pages on preparing you 3MT presentation.
- Key Dates
-
- Tuesday 25 February: 3MT training for everyone entering heats
- March-April: Faculty heats
- Tuesday 13 May: 3MT training day for finalists to hone presentations
- Tuesday 3 June: peer practice day for finalists
- Friday 20 June: Sussex 3MT final
- Eligibility
-
- Active postgraduate researcher's (PGRs) registered with the ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including PGRs whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate.
- PGRs who have already had their viva are not eligible to participate.
- 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 three (3) minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three (3) minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (eg. no poems, raps or songs).
- 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.
Rules and criteria set by the , as of April 2024
- Judging Criteria
-
The following criteria will guide the judges' decisions. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.
Comprehension and content
- Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question
- Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
- Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research
Engagement and communication
- The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
- The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
- The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience's attention
Rules and criteria set by the , as of April 2024
Why take part?
Taking part in 3MT allows you to showcase your research in a dynamic and concise way, helping you develop the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. It’s a chance to engage with a broader audience, as well as think critically about your research's core message, making it accessible and impactful to non-specialists.
We hope you find this unique opportunity a great way of developing your presentation and research communication skills, as well as meeting other PGRs from across the University who are taking on the challenge.
Check out what finalists have to say about taking part in the 3MT in the video below or have a look at our previous 3MT competitions.
- Video Transcript
-
[MUSIC: Soft Piano Music]
[TITLE CARD: Title at top of slide ' Sussex Researcher School'. Middle of slide sunshine yellow speech bubble with question 'How did you find taking part in the Three Minute Thesis?'. At bottom of slide ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë logo and 3MT logo.]
Heather Williams - Institute of Development Studies:
I found it a really rewarding and uplifting experience actually.
Theresa Clementson - Media, Arts and Humanities:
The training was fantastic. The day with Catherine Pope, where we kind of prepared our stories and our narratives and practised with each other was incredibly helpful.
Imelda Dwi Rosita Sari - Education and Social Work:
This was very very helpful for me because I'm still very nervous about speaking in front of the public. So I just really have to force myself and this Three Minute Thesis competition give me the platform to practise and to present in front of the public.
Dominika Varga - Psychology:
It's very challenging, but it's very fulfilling when you are able to make a three minute story of all the work that you have done throughout your PhD.
Belen Martinez - Global Studies:
Well, it was actually a great experience because we spent the day together with the rest of the participants and it was a very supportive environment, and we learned about each other and our work.
[END CARD: Title at top of slide 'Sussex Researcher School'. ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë logo in the centre.]