3MT (Three Minute Thesis) Competition

2024 University Final Winner: Thomas Beltrame

College of Science and Engineering

“PhDs are complex, nuanced, and difficult to explain simply and succinctly, but that’s exactly what the 3MT will teach you to do. My PhD combines three rehabilitative elements into a single program which can be quite a mouthful to unpack. The 3MT taught me to identify the essence of my project, transform that information into a compelling narrative, and deliver it with confidence.

Moving through each round facilitated more opportunities to share my work with friends, family, colleagues, and a growing online network which helped to boost my profile as an emerging researcher. I participated in the competition twice as I identified how beneficial the learnings were and I encourage all PhD Candidates to challenge themselves and have a go too!“

2023 University Final Winner: Vinicius de Oliveira

College of Business, Government and Law

"PhD candidates due to conducting multilayered research and having to deal with an incredible amount of data, often are unable to summarize their PhD topic. The 3MT allows me to formulate a quick and direct answer to the most common and feared question ‘What’s your PhD on?’, providing an answer that finally satisfies both me and my parents, grandparents, neighbours, and people who pop the question but don’t hugely care for a meticulous answer. As a non-native English speaker, the 3MT also assisted me in developing my presentation skills and managing stage fright. I highly recommend to all HDR students to participate in this amazing competition!"

2022 University Final Winner: Siobhan Fitzpatrick

College of Medicine and Public Health

"The 3MT competition was a fantastic opportunity to really synthesise the overall message and purpose of my research. To translate a complex thesis topic into accessible language for a non-specialist audience was an exciting challenge to take on. It not only developed my communication and presentation skills in front of a live audience, but distilling the "message" of my research reminded me why I took on my PhD in the first place - to advocate for women's health and those living with post-partum rectus diastasis."

2021 University Final Winner: Chad Han

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

“So, what’s your PhD about?” is the most common question I get. The 3MT has given me an opportunity as well as challenge, to communicate my research to a wider non specialist audience. The interaction with other PhD students reminded me that while the journey is one undertaken independently, it is not a lonely one. The 3MT has also helped hone my presentation skills and is one of the most enjoyable experiences thus far in my PhD!'' 

2018 University Final Winner: Chelsea Mauch

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

“The 3 Minute Thesis competition was a timely and valuable experience that will remain one of the most memorable of my PhD. I was mid-candidature and waist deep in the first of three studies. The competition gave me the opportunity to return to the purpose of my project and develop a clear narrative. This focussed my writing and made the remaining stages of my PhD clearer, contributing to my first PhD publication and a successful seed grant application to fund my final study. The competition itself was thoroughly enjoyable, and taught me the value of conveying my research message in a way that is concise and connects with the audience on a personal level. I would highly recommend all PhD candidates take part at some stage during their candidature.”    

2017 Runner-Up Finalist: Tiffany Knight

College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

"Participating in the 3 Minute Thesis has been one of the highlights of my PhD. Doctoral studies can be very lonely, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information you have to process every day. The 3MT training sessions were a fun, relaxed opportunity to experiment with ideas and get a fresh perspective on my research. I discovered that I was part of a community of passionate scholars who were all doing amazing work in their respective fields.  Condensing my research down to three minutes and finding engaging ways to explain its value to a non-specialist audience helped me to clarify my thinking and re-connect with my data in a new way. As this year’s trainer, I’m really excited to share what I’ve learned with you. So, I hope you’ll consider giving it a go.  You might win some cash – you might even get to travel overseas representing Flinders University in the finals – but more importantly, by participating in the 3 Minute Thesis you will take the first step towards sharing your research with the world.  And after all, as emerging researchers, isn’t that what we're all here for?”