Three Minute Thesis (3MT™)

Three Minute Thesis (3MTTM) Handbook for participating universities

UQ Graduate School

uq.edu.au/grad-school/three-minute-thesis 3MT@gradschool.uq.edu.au

uq.edu.au/grad-school/3mt Handbook for participating universities

Contents

Event Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 4 What is it? ........................................................................................................................................... 4 History................................................................................................................................................. 4 Why we do it ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Prizes ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Key Dates ............................................................................................................................................ 5 Institutional requirements .................................................................................................................. 5 Progression ......................................................................................................................................... 6

Competition rules and guidelines ........................................................................................................... 7 Eligibility .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Judging Criteria ................................................................................................................................... 7 Rules.................................................................................................................................................... 8 Selecting your Judging Panel............................................................................................................... 8 3 minute countdown timer ................................................................................................................. 8

Event Management Resources ............................................................................................................... 9 Frequently Asked Questions (Event Coordinators)...............................................................................10 Frequently Asked Questions (Students) ............................................................................................... 13 Further information .............................................................................................................................. 14

uq.edu.au/grad-school/3mt Handbook for participating universities

3MT provides a unique opportunity to profile and celebrate the innovative research conducted by postgraduate students from around the world.

Three Minute Thesis was established by UQ in 2008 and has quickly gained momentum. The first Trans-Tasman 3MT competition was held in September 2010, with thirty three universities, representing over 50,000 RHD students, taking part. Following the success of Balarka Banerjee from The University of Western Australia (UWA) in the inaugural competition, UWA hosted the 2011 3MT event.

The competition has grown rapidly over the past few years and we were thrilled to see 43 universities participating in the final hosted by The University of Western Australia in 2011. We are also pleased that students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Hong Kong will take part in their own regional events in 2012.

Following the success of our competitor, Mr Matthew Thompson in 2011's competition, UQ is incredibly proud to have opportunity to host the Trans-Tasman competition once again. I am sure the event will be a wonderful showcase for the quality and breadth of research that is taking place across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Thank you for your support of the 3MT.

Professor Zlatko Skrbis Dean, UQ Graduate School

uq.edu.au/grad-school/3mt Handbook for participating universities

Event Overview

What is it?

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a research communication competition

developed by The University of Queensland. Research higher degree

(PhD and MPhil) students have three minutes to present a

compelling oration on their thesis topic and its significance. 3MT is

not an exercise in trivialising or `dumbing-down' research, but

challenges students to consolidate their ideas and research

discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.

History

The first 3MT was held at The University of Queensland in 2008 with 160 RHD students competing. Enthusiasm for the 3MT concept grew

"It was a fun experience and a great opportunity to refine the central points of my dissertation. It was also a great opportunity to publicise my research".

and its adoption by numerous universities led to the development of an international competition.

The inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT was held at UQ in 2010 with 33

Richard Ronay School of Psychology UQ 3MT Winner, 2009

universities participating. In 2011, 43 universities were represented in the Trans-Tasman 3MT that

was hosted by The University of Western Australia, and for the first time students from the United

States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Hong Kong took part in their own regional events.

UQ's Matthew Thomson was awarded First Prize in the 2011 Competition. As the university of the competitor who wins the competition has the opportunity to host the event the following year, UQ will welcome participants to its St Lucia campus for the competition in 2012.

Why we do it

At UQ, 3MT is part of an effort to provide students with an opportunity to develop their oral presentational skills.

Skills training for RHD Students The exercise develops academic, presentation and research communication skills, while developing research students' ability to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to a nonspecialist audience.

Building research culture in Schools and Institutes 3MT provides a valuable opportunity for RHD students to come together, get to know one another and talk about their research. It is also provides a supportive environment for Schools and Institutes to provide presentation skills training.

Building external relations for the University Each 3MT winner will go on to represent their university at the Trans-Tasman 3MT and 3MT finalists benefit from invitations to a variety of networking events.

uq.edu.au/grad-school/3mt Handbook for participating universities

Prizes

Prizes are an important incentive for students entering the competition. The University of Queensland will award winners with the following prizes at the Trans-Tasman 3MT in 2012.

? First Prize: $5000 research travel grant ? Runner-up: $2000 research travel grant ? People's Choice: $1000 research travel grant

Key Dates

Date 1 March 29 July 28 August 21 September

11 October

Item Registrations open for 2012's event Deadline to express interest in participating in 2012's event Deadline to confirm your participation in the 2012 3MT Trans-Tasman competition Deadline to provide UQ with your entrants:

Name School and Faculty Thesis title 3MT presentation title 3MT PowerPoint slide Mobile phone number Email Name, title and contact details for accompanying University

representative 3MT Trans-Tasman 3MT Competition

Institutional requirements

Please note that participating universities agree: to provide travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for the competitor representing the institution; that participating universities from outside Australia and New Zealand, agree to participate as an `Invited Special Guest'; that the university of the competitor who wins the competition will host the 2013 TransTasman 3MT; and that if a competitor of an `Invited Special Guest' wins the competition, the wining university will host and organise the following years 3MT competition in a venue provided by The University of Queensland.

Registration

Registration is currently open to Australian, New Zealand and Fijian universities. Please register your university's interest via the 3MT website. If you are interested in hosting a 3MT competition outside of Australia, New Zealand or Fiji please encourage them to contact the UQ Graduate School at 3mt@gradschool.uq.edu.au for further information.

uq.edu.au/grad-school/3mt Handbook for participating universities

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