Three Minute Thesis competition

The annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition challenges competitors to be clear, compelling, and, above all, concise as they deliver a spoken presentation on their research topic in a mere 180 seconds with one static slide. The semi-final and final are in-person competitions, with an audience and judging panel.

2026 3MT winners

1st place, Gulnur Zulpukarova, Chemistry (PhD)​, Antibacterial Nanostructured Surfaces​

Runner up, Rachael Laidlaw, Interactive Artificial Intelligence (PhD), Birds of a Feather: Scaling Up Automated Wildlife Monitoring

Dee Smart People’s Choice Award Winner, Amaia Alcalde Anton, Biological Sciences (PhD), The Flap of a Butterfly: A Defence of Fundamental Science​

Prizes:

  • Winner, £250 Love2Shop voucher plus entry into national Vitae & European Coimbra Three Minute Thesis competitions​

  • Runner-up, £75 Love2Shop voucher​

  • People's Choice Award, £75 Love2Shop voucher​

About Three Minute Thesis

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. 

Find out more about its origins on the Three Minute Thesis website.

FAQs

The following information is from the official 3MT handbook provided by the University of Queensland, However, if you want to ask a question that isn’t covered, please email bdc-engagement@bristol.ac.uk.

The University of Queensland's official 3MT guidance states that you're eligible if you're an active PhD or Professional Doctorate (Research) candidate who has successfully passed your confirmation milestone by the date of your first presentation. (This includes candidates whose thesis is under submission.) Graduates and MRes students are not eligible.

In practice, this means you'll be eligible to take part in our 3MT contest if you're undertaking one of the following research degrees:

  • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
  • Doctor of Education (EdD)
  • Doctor of Educational Psychology (DEdPsy)
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Doctor of Social Science (DSocSci)
  • Engineering Doctorate (EngD)

If you have any questions about eligibility, please email bdc-engagement@bristol.ac.uk.

The official rules, as outlined by the University of Queensland, are as follows:

  • 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) is permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three 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 judging panel is final.