The idea for the 3MT®Ìýcompetition came about at a time when the state of Queensland was suffering severe drought. To conserve water, residents were encouraged to time their showers, and many people had a three minute egg timer fixedÌýto the wall in theirÌýbathroom. The then Dean of the University of QeenslandÌýGraduate School, Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson, put two and two together and the idea for the 3MTÌýcompetition was born: to challenge grad studentsÌýto describe their research in under three minutes to a general audience.

The first 3MT®Ìýcompetition was held at UQ in 2008 with 160Ìýstudents competing. In 2009 and 2010 the 3MT®Ìýcompetition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew. Due to its adoption in numerous universities, aÌýmulti-national eventÌýwas developed, and the Inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT®Ìýcompetition was held at UQ in 2010. Since 2011, the popularity of the competition has increased and 3MT®Ìýcompetitions are now held in over 600 universities and institutions across 59Ìýcountries worldwide.

CU Â鶹ӰԺ's 3MT schedule is as follows:Ìý

  • Phase 1: 3MT®ÌýApplicants will participate in a throughout the fall semester to hone their three minute research pitch. These workshops include topics such as:
    • Communicating your research in three minutes
    • The art of storytelling
    • Communicating complex topics: avoiding jargon; ABT framework
    • Finding your presentation voice
    • Improv comedy techniques
  • Phase 2:ÌýAll 3MT®ÌýApplicants will be scheduled to present their 3MT®Ìýpresentation to a CampusÌýSelection Committee December. ÌýThe Committee will select 10Ìýstudents to advance to PhaseÌý3.
  • Phase 3:ÌýThe top 10 finalistsÌýwillÌýpresent their three-minute oral presentationÌýin February.ÌýA committee of judges from the university and the community will select one first-place winner and one runner-up, and the audience will vote for the people's choice winner.ÌýThe first-place winner will advance to Phase 4.
  • Phase 4: The first-place winner of the CU Â鶹ӰԺ competition will represent the university at the competition in March.Ìý

The was first developed by the University of Queensland in 2008, and they haveÌýprepared a comprehensive set of rules and judging criteria. TheÌýcompetition will employ theseÌýsame guidelines.Ìý.Ìý

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  • 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 considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or movement) and 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.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

Presentations will be judged based on the following:Ìý

Engagement &ÌýCommunicationÌý

  • The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
  • The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
  • The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

Comprehension & Content

  • Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question
  • Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
  • Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research