The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition where postgraduate students are challenged to perform a compelling presentation on their thesis and its significance in just three minutes.  

What started as a local competition at the University of Queensland in 2008 has since become an international phenomenon, with over 170 universities across 17 countries taking part with their own local and national competitions as well as a virtual tournament.

In the article ‘Three Minute Theatre: Principles and practice for scripting and performing Three Minute Thesis’, from  the International Journal for Researcher Development, Peter Copeman from the University of Canberra, explains:

"As a research student, it's hard enough to narrow your grand idea to a specific, manageable research problem. For a 'Three Minute Thesis' (3MT®) presentation, you have to get it in one page. And pitch it in public! The solution is easier than you think: stop thinking three minute thesis and start thinking three minute theatre. Tell a story."

The below infographic summarises this research into three simple steps to perfect your three minute thesis pitch.

Peter has also recorded his own three minute thesis presentation for this research article which you can view below.

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