The University of Liverpool’s Academy team are excited to announce the fourth annual edition of the 3-Minute Thesis 3MT® competition for postgraduate research students.
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.
Your Research. Three Minutes. Unlimited Impact
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.
Why you should enter
We know your time is precious, so here are the main reasons why past 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 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, and networking. The 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. It 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
What you could win
Prizes include:
- £50 to £100 Amazon vouchers to be won
- One to one professional coaching from Dr Jamie Gallagher, a previous international 3MT® winner, Fame Lab runner up and award-winning engagement for impact expert
- The first fifteen submissions will each receive a prize of Presentation Clickers
- Compete to represent the University of Liverpool at national level
Interested in taking part ?
The deadline for PGRs to submit your 3MT® entry for the Faculty Heats is 5pm on Friday 17 April 2026. The first 15 submissions will each receive a prize of a presentation clicker.
A winner will be selected for each faculty and receive a prize of a £50 Amazon voucher.
Up to nine finalists will be announced and proceed to the grand final held on the 17th June 2026. The nine finalists will receive professional one to one coaching from Dr Jamie Gallagher, a previous international 3MT® winner, Famelab runner up, and award-winning public engagement expert!
The overall winner of the 2026 final will receive a £100 Amazon prize!
Visit the how to enter page here.
Read about our 2025 winners by clicking here and 2024 winners by clicking here
Further events and 3MT® information
PGR students can find out more about the competition rules, eligibility requirements, and entry process – plus gain tips on how to create a fantastic 3MT® presentation, by attending the online introductory session, on Thursday 12 February at 2pm. The session will be delivered by The Academy Researcher Development team and our 2025 winner Stephanie Thomson.
Book a place at the 3MT®: Short Talk, Lasting Impression workshoptaking place on Tuesday 24 March. You will benefit from expert guidance on how to prepare a winning entry at this in-person workshop delivered by Dr Jamie Gallagher, a previous international 3MT® winner and public engagement expert. This workshop is open to all University of Liverpool PGRs, with expert guidance on presentation narrative, slide design, and presentation style. The session take place on-campus, beginning at 9.30am, with the venue TBC.
Please visit the website for further information about the University of Liverpool’s 3MT® competition.