Three Minute Thesis

WHAT IS 3MT®, WHY IS IT BENEFICIAL, HOW IS IT JUDGED, AND HOW TO PREPARE

What is 3MT®?

The Three Minute Thesis 3MT® competition, developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, in 2008, (see https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/) “cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.” In three minutes or less, using only one static slide, and no other props, contestants deliver their presentation to a panel of non-specialist judges. These judges rank the contestants, based on how engaging, accessible, and compelling they made their presentation. A candidate who goes overtime is disqualified. Since its inception, the 3MT® competition has grown to include more than 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide.

How is 3MT® being adapted for EuMW 2022?

Going beyond the scope of academia, the proposed 3MT® competition for EuMW 2022:

• Requires that participants have no more than 35 years by the competition date (Sept. 26th 2022).
• Is open to young and aspiring professionals, including students and postdoctoral fellows.
• Requires each contestant to be registered to at least one conference of the EuMW2022.
• Requires submission of a 30-second video to the 3MT® committee.
• Limits any accepted contestant to speak only once, with no substitutions.
• Caps the total number of contestants (maximum to be decided).

Why is participating in the 2022 3MT® beneficial to your career?

Developing the skills necessary to distil highly complex, technical material into a form accessible to the non-specialist has become popular worldwide for students within universities that have adopted the 3MT® competition. Such skills become lifetime assets for the career advancement of any professional. Once such skills are mastered, namely, clarity of communication without oversimplifying or resorting to jargon, and the ability to engage a diverse audience with authenticity and enthusiasm, these skills are transferrable to virtually any professional career path.

When and in what format will the competition occur?

The schedule and location of the competition are to be announced. Contestants will make their presentations to EuWM2022 attendees and to a panel of non-specialist judges. The equipment available will be the same as for any technical session.

Broad goals of the 2022 3MT® competition:

The 2022 3MT® competition is designed to stimulate interest in the wide range of applications of microwave technology. Such information would help renew the public’s interest in microwaves as a transformative technology that is rewarding both to those who study it, and to those whose daily lives benefit from incorporation of scientific developments in consumer products.

Goals Include:

• Persuading general audiences of the importance to humanity of microwaves and related technical fields.
• Showcasing the human element of individual members of our Society.

The Prizes

While recognizing the top 4 ranked contestants, it is planned to award prizes to the top three, and to the Honorable Mention winner. There are distributed as follows:

• First prize: 500€
• Second prize: 300€
• Third prize: 200€
• Honorable Mention: Only certificate

The Rules:

The 3MT® rules and judging criteria as formulated by the University of Queensland follow. See https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/resources/competition-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 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.

Judging Criteria:

See: https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/resources/judging-criteria

Comprehension & 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 key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, key results and research significance 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 & 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?