3MT® 2023 is a researcher development programme that prepares you to take part in the Three Minute Thesis competition.
Why take part
The 3MT® 2023 programme is a great opportunity to develop skills in research communication and presentation to reach new audiences with your research. It will require you to create a concise ‘elevator pitch’ about your work in language appropriate to non-specialist audiences – a skill useful wherever your doctorate takes you!
The aim of the programme is to give you the opportunity to learn and put into practice the skills and techniques required to engage and inform a wide audience about your research - in just three minutes! You will learn how to simplify and visualise your research and create a compelling presentation.
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.
Key dates
You will need to be free for both the semi-final (and final, if selected) in order to take part in the competition.
There is a lot of support available beforehand to help you build your presentation. If after accessing this support, you still feel that you do not wish to enter the competition, there is no obligation. Whilst there is a competitive element to this process, we want it to be friendly, supportive and developmental.
Key dates and deadlines to note include:
| Date(s) and time | Location | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 27 February 2023, 1.00pm - 4.00pm | Online | Workshop: Creating Your 3MT Presentation | An online workshop to help you find out more about the 3MT competition and how to effectively prepare. |
| 5 March 2023 23:59 | N/A | Registration to enter 3MT closes. | In order to access the following support, you will need to register your interest. |
| 20 - 23 March 2023 | Online or in-person | 3MT Initial Briefings | 25 minute appointments with the Doctoral Development Team to get some feedback on your first draft and answer any of your questions. |
| Wednesday 3 May 2023 | University of Bath | External coaching | 30 minute appointment with an external coach to get some further feedback on your content and delivery approach |
| Tuesday 23 May 2023, 2.00pm-4.00pm | University of Bath | 3MT Semi-Final | This live event will act as a selection process to choose 6 participants for the final. There will be judges and a small/medium audience. |
| Wednesday 14 June 2023, 6.00pm-10.00pm | Komedia, Bath City Centre | 3MT Final | The final will take place within our Doctoral Research Celebration event. The 6 finalists will present to a large audience and the winner will be announced. |
*Please note that if interest in the competition is high, then we may need to do a pre-selection before the semi-final. Participants will be given further information about this process, if required.
Prize
6 doctoral students will be selected for the 3MT final. Finalists will present at the Doctoral Celebration Event on Wednesday 14th June 2023.
The following prizes will be available:
- Judges' Choice - £500 will be given to the winner as a contribution to their training and development.
- People's Choice - a small personal gift will be given to this winner.
The Judge's Choice - Winner will be entered into the the UK National Vitae Competition.