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 3 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. 

Watch our doctoral researchers who competed in the 2023 internal Aston University competition below. 

Aston University Winners  

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? 

 

 

 

Ben Dages - The future of food? How scaling production could bring cultivated meat to your local supermarket. 

 

Caroline Godfrey - The battle for English is metaphorical: A conflict hidden in plain sight.  

 

Daniel Addae - Paving the sustainable future with modified cold mix asphalt. 

 

 

Mohammed Alhumayzi - Factors affecting employees' acceptance of blockchain in HE institutions. 

 

 

Paul Jones - Moving from survive to thrive.

 

 

Rebecca Preston - The backbone of the primary classroom, our the humble English textbook. 

 

Sadri Shadabi - Let's take a journey to the Earth and bring back a low-carbon souvenir for others. 

 

Saira Hussain - 'Little' ears. 

 

Yuan Feng - How to get people to go green for home heating. 

 

3MT Judging Criteria

Comprehension and content

  • Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed, while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
  • Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
  • Was the thesis topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
  • Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement and communication

  • Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
  • Was the presenter careful not to trivialise or generalise their research?
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
  • Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
  • Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?