Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an international research communication competition that challenges HDR candidates to present their research in just three minutes, using a single slide.
The competition provides HDR candidates with a unique opportunity to share their research beyond their immediate discipline and connect with a broader audience.
3MT is designed to help you communicate your research clearly, concisely, and engagingly to a non-specialist audience. The challenge lies in distilling complex ideas into a short, compelling presentation that highlights the significance of your work.
The format is simple:
- A three-minute presentation
- One static slide
- A non-specialist audience
The focus is not just on what you say, but how effectively you communicate your research and its impact.
At Western, 3MT begins with Faculty-level qualifying rounds, where candidates present their research and finalists are selected to progress to the University final.
The 2026 SABEL Faculty round will be held on Tuesday 30 June 2026, 10:00am–2:00pm on Parramatta South campus, room EA.G.19 (LT03). Two finalists will be selected to represent the Faculty. The University final will take place on 27 August at the Parramatta City Campus (1PSQ).
Finalists from across the University compete for the opportunity to represent Western in the Asia-Pacific 3MT Competition.
3MT is a great way to develop skills that are valuable both during and beyond your HDR.
Taking part can help you:
- Build confidence in presenting your research
- Learn how to explain your work clearly to different audiences
- Strengthen your communication and storytelling skills
- Connect with other HDR candidates across disciplines
- Enhance your academic and professional profile
It can also contribute to the expectation that HDR candidates present their research regularly during candidature.
You don’t need to figure it out on your own. A range of support is available to help you prepare for 3MT.
The Graduate Research School and University Library offer a range of support to help you prepare for the competition, including introductory webinars, workshops on structuring your talk and designing your slide, and coaching and feedback for finalists. These sessions are not mandatory, but are strongly recommended, particularly if you are new to presenting your research in this format.
The SABEL HDR team will circulate information about qualifying rounds and preparation sessions via email, so keep an eye on your inbox for updates.
Details about the SABEL qualifying round - including how to register and key dates - will be shared via School HDR Directors and Faculty communications.
If you’re interested in taking part, we encourage you to start thinking about how you would explain your research in three minutes. It’s a useful exercise in itself, even if you decide not to compete.
More information about the competition, including rules and tips for getting started, can be found here.
You can also contact your School’s Director, HDR and Honours, or Research and HDR Officer if you have questions about participating in SABEL’s qualifying round.