What is 3MT?
The Three Minute Thesis® is a research communication competition devised by the University of Queensland that is now held in over 900 universities worldwide. It challenges doctoral candidates to present their research topic to a non-specialist audience, giving a compelling presentation explaining their work and its significance – in just three minutes.
Why Enter?
3MT® is an excellent opportunity for doctoral researchers to develop their communication skills. It is also a unique chance for you to share your research and your passion for it with the broader research community, and raise your profile as a researcher both within and beyond the University. It builds on the following areas from the RDF 2025: 4.1 Communication and 4.3 Knowledge Exchange and Public Engagement.
As well as winning a prize of £250 towards attending an academic conference of their choice, the winner is put forward as Sheffield Hallam’s entry to the UK national competition.
Read this update from Sheffield Hallam and 3MT® Vitae 2019 National Competition winner Shruti Mandhani on the impact that 3MT has had on her career.
How Do I Enter?
To enter the competition, you will need to submit a title and short abstract by 3pm on Friday 17 April 2026 via the 3MT® Expression of Interest form (please note you must be logged in using your Sheffield Hallam account in order to access this form). We anticipate there will be a heat stage in May and the final will take place in June 2026, further details on this process will be shared with participants. If you have any questions about taking part, please contact rida@shu.ac.uk.
Eligibility
All Sheffield Hallam doctoral students who will not have had their viva by 18 May 2026 are invited to enter (including those who have previously participated in 3MT). Only those doctoral students who have passed their Confirmation of Doctorate (RF2 or equivalent) by the date of their first 3MT® presentation will be eligible to proceed to the national competition. Those earlier on in their doctoral studies are still encouraged to take part in 3MT® as a developmental activity.
What Support Will I Receive?
Support is available from the RIDA and Doctoral School Teams, there are also a number of further resources to help with the development of your presentation linked under the Resources section of this page.
Participants who are shortlisted at heat stage for the Sheffield Hallam 3MT® final will then be matched with a staff mentor who will provide further support and guidance in the lead up to your final presentation.
Sheffield Hallam 3MT® Timeline 2026:
| Stage | Date | Link |
| Competition opens | w/c 2 March 2026 | |
| 3MT Entry deadline | 17 April 2026, 3pm | 3MT®Expression of Interest 2026 (Working title and short abstract) |
| Feedback from RIDA / Doctoral School Team | April 2026 | Email rida@shu.ac.uk to arrange |
| Heat stage | May 2026 | Details TBC |
| Refining your presentation | With your 3MT mentor | |
| Final stage video entry | June 2026 – date TBC | Slide and video to rida@shu.ac.uk (1 week before the final date) |
| Sheffield Hallam 3MT Final | June 2026 – date TBC | Details TBC |
Resources
Advice and Tips from winners of the 3MT competition on ‘Presenting your research effectively and with confidence’.
Watch the 2025 National Final Performances
Top Tips for Successful Public Engagement
Internal Communications Guide – Filming and editing a simple video
The University of Queensland’s 3MT Video Recording Competitor Guide
Top Tips for Producing a Winning 3MT® Presentation
Dr Jamie Gallagher, public engagement expert and former international 3MT® winner, has captured his top tips for producing a winning 3MT presentation in the following four videos. Please click on the images below and log in to Panopto using your usual Sheffield Hallam username and password to access these resources.
Watch these short videos where the 2022 Vitae National 3MT® Competition Finalists discuss their experiences of taking part in the competition: