Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) - Researcher Hub

Three Minute Thesis competition 2026 now open!

Imagine being able to condense any complex research topic into a compelling, three-minute pitch that anyone can understand. That’s the challenge, and the powerful opportunity, of the University of Liverpool Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition.

Unlimited impact is exactly what 3MT offers you. In just three minutes, you can showcase the significance of your work, amplify its reach, and create impact far beyond your PhD.

The 3MT is more than a competition; it’s a high-impact professional development opportunity that delivers tangible benefits for your research visibility, confidence, career, and viva.

The Three Minute advantage: Why you should enter

We know your time is precious, so here are the main reasons why past UoL finalists call this a crucial step in their PhD journeys:

Raise your research profile: Winning, being a finalist, and even competing elevates your visibility across the University, to the public, and on a national and international stage via social media and news articles (and with the chance to represent UoL at the national competition). This enhances your professional profile as a researcher.

Get high-value training and feedback: To help you produce a concise, impactful, and engaging presentation, all entrants gain access to an exclusive research communication workshop and one-to-one training (finalists) delivered by one of the top engagement trainers in the country. The 3MT can literally transform the way you present at academic conferences in terms of content and self-confidence.

Unlock career and funding opportunities: The ability to communicate your research clearly to non-specialists is essential for many grant applications, job interviews (both academic and industry), and networking. The 3MT-style pitch becomes your professional elevator pitch for life.
Boost your Viva prep: The hardest part of your viva is clearly articulating your research significance to an expert panel. 3MT helps you master this skill months or years in advance, helping you define your key messages, communicate the novelty of your research, and defend your work with confidence.
Prestige of representing UoL in the UK national 3MT quarter finals: The 3MT is an international competition started in 2008 by the University of Queensland with 900 universities holding events across 85 countries! Our overall winner will go on to represent Liverpool in the UK national competition hosted by Vitae.

Endorsement from Vice Chancellor Professor Tim Jones: "The Three Minute Thesis provides a fantastic opportunity for PGRs to communicate their research and hone their presentation skills as part of an international competition. I hugely enjoyed last year's Liverpool 3MT final and the finalists' presentations reflected the extraordinary quality of the research conducted by our PGR community. I would encourage all Liverpool PGRs to consider submitting an entry to 3MT and to engage with the support available from The Academy."

How to enter: Key information

Who Can Enter?	All PGRs can enter at any stage and from any subject area. We have had winners from all three faculties and from different stages of their PhDs (early, middle, and late). You can enter and win even if you have just started this year!
The Challenge	Explain your research project, its significance, and impact in just three minutes, using only one static slide.
Prizes	Compete for Amazon voucher prizes and a chance to represent the University of Liverpool at the national 3MT competition. (Specific prize details are on the website).
Submission Deadline	Friday 17 April, 2026 registration form here

Watch the video entries of some of our previous winners:

Stephanie Thomson "Femtech fertility ads: selling the illusion of reproductive control" Humanities and Social Sciences

Dina-Leigh Simons "eDNA: The Final Frontier for Marine Conservation" Science and Engineering

Rukun Khalaf "Mothers Nature: the environment and pregnancy" Health and Life Sciences

See our news articles announcing our winners and their presentations in 2025 here and 2024 here.

Competition Rules

A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are allowed. The slide 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.
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.
The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Key Dates and Information

Date	Event	Information	Book/Find out more
12 February 2026	3MT Introductory Session (Online)	This online session will take place at 14:00 (GMT). The Academy Researcher Development team and 2025 UoL 3MT winners Stephanie Thomson and Rukun Khalaf will provide a Three Minute Thesis Introductory session online on 12th February 2026. This session will cover all aspects of the University of Liverpool competition process, including eligibility and how to enter. This session will be recorded and made available online for those who cannot attend live. Come along to hear the 2025 winners guide to creating a fantastic 3MT presentation!	Book Now
24 March 2026	Three Minute Thesis workshop	Dr Jamie Gallagher, public engagement expert and former international 3MT winner and Fame Lab runner up, will provide a workshop on 25th March to help to prepare PGRs to enter the UoL 3MT competition. This workshop will offer guidance on presentation narrative, slide design, and presentation style. Book your place here. Dr Jamie Gallagher has captured his top tips for producing a winning 3MT presentation in the following four videos: Rules and Judging Content Slide Engagement Drop-In Sessions In order to help you produce your application, and to make sure the process is as accessible as possible to everyone interested in applying, we will be holding on request individual drop-in sessions this year. To book a drop-in session for advice or to pitch your 3MT presentation ideas to an experienced developer email researcher@liverpool.ac.uk anytime!	Book Now
01 April 2026	3MT Drop-In Session	We also have an online drop in session which will take place on Tuesday 1st April 2026 from 10am-11am on Teams - link will be made available in the PGR Development Canvas module. If unable to access, please email researcher@liverpool.ac.uk This is designed to be a short drop-in to allow you to ask any questions about the application process or creating your video.	See PGR Development Canvas site for more information (under 'Announcements').
17 April 2026, 17:00 (GMT)	Deadline to submit entry video for faculty heats	See how to enter section for more information and guidance.
Early May 2026	Faculty heat winners announced	The winner of each faculty will receive a £50 voucher.
Mid May 2026	1:1 Individual coaching sessions for finalists	Each finalist will have 1:1 coaching session with Dr Jamie Gallagher, former international 3MT winner and public engagement expert.
17 June 2026	University of Liverpool 3MT Final	Celebrate the exciting research conducted by postgraduate researchers at the University of Liverpool and watch the finalists battle it out to be crowned the 3MT® champion. The winner will receive the prize of a £100 Amazon voucher and will go on to represent the University at the national Vitae competition. Support our finalists and have your say on the day by voting for your favourite presentation for the people’s choice award, who will win a £50 Amazon voucher.	Bookings will open in February 2026.
June 2026	University of Liverpool Winner 3MT® enters national competition hosted by Vitae

Please send any queries about how to join to researcher@liverpool.ac.uk and good luck with your applications!

How to Enter

Find out how to enter the competition and eligibility requirements on our How to enter page. Registration to enter the competition is now open.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Back to: Researcher Hub

How will the competition be judged?

Judges will be selected from a variety of academic and professional roles across the University of Liverpool.

Judging criteria*

At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.

Comprehension and content

Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question
Presentation provided clear positionality of the presenter to the research and research approach
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

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
The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

*Judging criteria set by the University of Queensland

What are the prizes?

Faculty Heats

Judges’ winner: £50 voucher

University of Liverpool Final

Judges’ winner: £100 voucher

People’s choice award: £100 voucher

What guidance and support are available?

The Academy Researcher Development team will provide a Three-Minute Thesis Introductory session online on 7th February 2024. This session will cover all aspects of the University of Liverpool competition process, including eligibility and how to enter. This session will be recorded and made available online for those who cannot attend live.

Dr Jamie Gallagher, public engagement expert and former international 3MT winner will provide a workshop on the 25th March 2024 to help to prepare PGRs prepare their entry to the UoL 3MT competition. This workshop will offer guidance on presentation narrative, slide design, and presentation style.

Dr Jamie Gallagher has captured his top tips for producing a winning 3MT presentation in the following four videos:

Each finalist will have 1:1 coaching session with Dr Jamie Gallagher, former international 3MT winner and public engagement expert.

External resources

How to prepare your 3MT- Competitor guide 3MT®, University of Queensland

How to record your 3MT – Video recording competitor guide 3MT®, University of Q

Is it worth doing the three minute thesis?- By Mary Woessner, Victoria University

How to win the 3 minute thesis- By Dr Inger Mewburn (aka @thesiswhisperer)

Making the most of your 3 minutes- Simon Clews, University of Melbourne

Talk nerdy to me – Melissa Marshall’s TED talk

Presenting your research effectively and with confidence - By previous 3MT finalists (Taylor & Francis resource)

How a competition changed my academic life - By Jamie Khoo, 2018 UK People's Choice winner

3MT: Three Tips to Help You Prepare a Winning Presentation, Australian National University

The three most common 3MT mistakes from the Australian National University

Watch winning 3-minute thesis presentations from around the world

Watch the 2022 Vitae UK 3MT® competition

I have missed the deadline to enter the University of Liverpool’s 3MT competition, can I still enter?

The deadlines are there to enable us to meet the timeline for the national Vitae competition. Therefore, it is imperative for you to meet these deadlines for consideration in the competition.

I have submitted my thesis but I am yet to have my Viva, can I still enter?

If your viva will take place before the date of the university final you are not eligible to enter the competition.

Is there a dress code?

There is no stipulated dress requirement such as ‘smart casual’. Some have worn suits with ties, others t-shirts and jeans. Please wear whatever is comfortable for you, although no costumes are allowed.

What is allowed on the 3MT presentation 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).

Can my presentation be a poem, rap or song?

Quotes can be included from a poem or song if it is relevant to the presenter's thesis topic. Poetry and song lyrics are not permitted to be used to present the entire 3MT and their use should be very limited.

Can I win in more than one category?

Yes, it is possible for you to win a place (first, second, etc.) and win the People’s Choice Award at the university finals.

What happens if I can't attend the final?

The top 3 entries from each Faculty heat are expected progress to the next stage of the competition. If a Faculty finalist is unable to attend the university final, the next runner-up will proceed to the next round of the competition.

Can I use notes in my presentation?

Yes, palm cards and/or speech notes are acceptable, however this option may detract from the delivery of the 3MT and is not recommended.

How many finalists will there be in the University of Liverpool final?

In total, there will be up to nine finalists that progress to the university final from the faculty heats. At the university final a judges’ first prize will be awarded alongside the people’s choice award. Only the overall judges’ winner will be entered into the Vitae national competition.

Who do I contact if I need more information?

Please contact the Academy's Researcher Development team at researcher@liverpool.ac.uk.

Do I need my supervisors’ permission to enter the University of Liverpool 3MT competition?

We do not explicitly require your supervisors’ permission to enter this public engagement competition.

I am based across multiple faculties, which faculty heat will I be entered in to?

If your research is based across multiple faculties you will be given an option to select which faculty heat you would like to enter on the online registration form. You may only enter one faculty heat.