Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
An academic competition challenging doctoral researchers to present their research topic and its significance in just three minutes.
About Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
3MT is a research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland, Australia. The competition challenges doctoral researchers to present their research and its significance in just three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
Aston Three Minute Thesis competition, run according to guidance from Vitae and the official 3MT rules set out by the University of Queensland, celebrates the exciting research conducted by our doctoral researchers at Aston University.
Learn about the projects our doctoral researchers are conducting below.
2024 competition
Winners of the 2024 Aston 3MT Competition:
- Aston 3MT winner: Nona Pop, College of Health and Life Sciences
- Runner-up: Kiah-Rose Sargant, College of Health and Life Sciences
- People’s choice: Aisha Bibi, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
The Aston 3MT winner, Nona Pop, will be representing Aston University in the national 3MT competition organised by Vitae.
Alaa Alamoudi
Shifting Sands: The Unseen Path of Saudi Women in Academia.
Business and Social Sciences
Aisha Bibi (People's choice winner)
Are we, breathing, drinking and eating micro- and nanoplastics?
Engineering and Physical Sciences
Xiaohao Dai
A collective garden by open strategy.
Business and Social Sciences
Annelise Garrison
Warning! Cellular Construction Goes Wrong.
Health and Life Sciences
Evelyn Murray
Liking, Sharing or Scrolling: The key to supporting our wellbeing.
Health and Life Sciences
Nadeesha Naradde Vidana Pathirana
Fighting Loneliness with an AI Voice Companion.
Engineering and Physical Sciences
Nona Pop (Aston 3MT winner)
Myelin repair: why sidekicks are just as powerful as superheroes.
Health and Life Sciences
Kiah-Rose Sargant (Aston 3MT runner-up)
Co-designing a therapeutic intervention: for families and their young people struggling with mental health difficulties.
Health and Life Sciences
Yixuan Shi
Grafting the Digital Platform into Motor Businesses.
Engineering and Physical Sciences
Calum Upton
Nano-syringes - the future of therapeutic drug delivery?
Health and Life Sciences
Watch doctoral researchers who competed in the 2023 Aston University competition:
Aston 3MT Winner: Diana Galiakhmetova - Dementia treatment by light.
Diana reached the semi-finals of the national 3MT Competition organised by Vitae.
People’s Choice Winner: Calum Upton - Chemotherapy with no side effects?
People's Choice Runner Up: Ayah Al-Rababah - Do cataracts affect perception of speed?
- 3MT Judging Criteria
Comprehension and 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; and
- Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research.
Engagement and communication
- 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; and
- The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.