3MT competition entries 2011 conducted during Research Week
Three Minute Thesis (3MT™)
Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) is a research communication competition where Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Candidates have three minutes to explain their research and its significance. 3MT provides a unique opportunity to profile and celebrate the innovative research conducted by research candidates at ECU and from around the world.
The exercise develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills. 3MT is not an exercise in trivialising or 'dumbing-down' research, but challenges candidates to consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.
Why do it?
At ECU, 3MT is part of an effort to provide HDR Candidates with an opportunity for the development of a wide range of communication skills.
Skills training for HDR Candidates
The exercise develops academic, presentation and research communication skills, while developing research candidate’s ability to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to any audience. Translating research into 'everyday' speak is an important skill.
Building research culture in Schools and Faculties
3MT provides a valuable opportunity for HDR students to come together, get to know one another and talk about their research. It is also provides a supportive environment for Schools and Faculties to provide presentation skills training.
Building external relations for the University
The 3MT winner will go on to represent ECU at the Trans-Tasman 3MT and 3MT finalists benefit from invitations to a variety of networking events.
"3MT helped me focus on my PhD and work out a way to communicate it in a fun and interesting way.
"I was really pleased when people came up to me at the end of the ECU 3MT final and said they found my PhD topic really interesting and they enjoyed listening about my research. For me this was my main victory. Winning the competition was a bonus."
Matthew Bambach, School of Management
ECU 2011 Winner
Eligibility
- Active PhD or Master by Research Candidates (thesis under submission, no graduates)
- The ECU Finalist must be available to represent ECU at UQ on October 11, 2012
ECU prizes
- First prize = $1,500 for your research plus an all expenses paid trip to Queensland to represent ECU at the Trans-Tasman Grand Final and a chance to win $5000.
- Second Prize = $1,000
- Third Prize = $500
- People’s Choice = $250
- All entrants receive a thumb-drive crammed with a 3MT Handbook and other great advice on punchy presentations.
Rules
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description)
- 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
- The decision of the judging panel is final
Judging criteria
- Communication style: was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience?
- Comprehension: did the presentation help the audience understand the research?
- Engagement: did the oration make the audience want to know more?
A 3MT Handbook will be available soon with more information on judging criteria and assistance to help you get started.
Key dates
| Tuesday, 13 March |
Registrations open |
| 27-31 August |
School and faculty heats (Heats maybe combined depending on registrations) |
| 3-7 September |
Faculty finals |
| Tuesday, 18 September |
ECU final - Mount Lawley Campus |
| Thursday, 11 October |
3MT Trans-Tasman Grand Final - University of Queensland |
2012 ECU 3MT competition final
Date: Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Venue: Edith Cowan University, Mount Lawley Campus, Building 10, Room 131
Further information about this event will be made available on our website in mid-2012
2011 ECU 3MT competition
ECU’s 3MT was held during Research Week. Seven research candidates were successful in reaching the ECU Finals held in August 2011, showcasing some of the incredible research being undertaken by our HDR candidates. ECU Winner Matthew Bambach, a part time PHD candidate and ECU academic from the School of Management competed at the national finals held at the University of Western Australia on 29 September 2011.
3MT history
The first 3MT was held at UQ in 2008. In 2009 and 2010 the 3MT concept was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities. Enthusiasm for the 3MT concept and its adoption in numerous universities led to the development of an international competition, with the Inaugural Australia & New Zealand 3MT competition held at UQ in 2010.