3-minute thesis

 

What is the three minute thesis?

 

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is a skills development activity that challenges Research Higher Degree students to explain their research project to a non-specialist audience in three minutes.

 

What is allowed on the presenters 3MT Powerpoint slide?

 

One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. In preparing the slide, remember that 'less is more'. It does not have to include text. Visual cues are very effective in assisting the presenter's explanation of their research (No slide transitions, animations, sound or 'movement' is permitted). No singing, poem reciting etc. allowed.

 

What categories are there to win?

 

This year we are planning a University wide three minute thesis competition which consists of the first heat on the 14th May and a final heat, which will be filmed, on the 23rd June where you can win First place, Runner-up or People's choice.  The winners talk will be submitted for entrance into the National 3MT competition in Manchester (More information on this link: 3MT).

 

Rounds

 

Round 1; Multidisciplinary Research Café  - Owen 1028, City, May 14th 15.00-17.00, guest speaker Pro VC Paul Harrison.

 

Round 2 and SHU final; Owen 123 (The Void), 23rd June 14.00-16.00

 

Prizes

 

The prize for the winner of the SHU 3MT competition will be £500 towards attending an academic conference of their choice. The winner will then become the SHU national competition candidate and may go on to win a further prize of a £3000 public engagement grant.

 

 

Benefits to individual researchers

 

• PhD students felt it was a great opportunity to really focus on the message of their research.

• For the individual researcher it can be a good networking opportunity.

• Gives students a fresh and new opportunity to think about communicating their research to a wide audience.

• Gives participants an occasion to hear from each other about their work and its importance.

• Students really enjoy the experience and many comment on what a useful exercise it is, especially for PhD students in the latter stages of their research, to take some time out of poring over the nitty gritty detail of their work and get back to the core, back to why they are doing it in the first place and the impact they hope it will have, which renews their energy.

• Some comment on how it improves their confidence, their public engagement skills and their English language (if English is not their first language), whilst others just enjoy meeting and hearing what other PGRs from across the University are working on.