3MT®
An 80,000 word PhD thesis would take 9 hours to present: their time limit is 3 minutes! 3MT® was first developed by the University of Queensland, and is now a global initiative with around 80 UK universities taking part in the Vitae 3MT® national competition each year.
Participation in the competition helps PhD researchers to build their confidence and hone their presentation and communication skills.
It is also a great way for others to find out about the exciting and varied research going on across the University at doctoral level.
3MT® 2026 Finalists
Atish Gawale
When Hydrogen Tanks Rupture: Can a Barrier Save Lives and Protect Buildings?
Belfast School of Architecture and Built Environment
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Julie Graham
One Loss. One in Five Future: The Psychological Impact of Student Bereavement
School of Psychology
Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
Tabassum Islam
Excluded Yet Resilient: South Asian Women Filmmakers in the UK Film Industry
School of Arts and Humanities
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Jamie-Maria McNulty
Can Help Really Be Just One Click Away?
School of Psychology
Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
Jodie Mills
Living with Parkinson’s: Can Alexa be your speech therapist?
School of Health Sciences
Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
Clement Momoh
One Simple Steak Swap: Lifelong Benefits
NICHE, School of Biomedical Sciences
Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
Varsha Natarajan
How Earth’s Sand Dunes Can Take You to Mars
School of Geography and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
Kazi Lutfar Rahman
From Flare to Fair: Balancing Health for Better Psoriasis Treatment
NICHE, School of Biomedical Sciences
Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
3MT® Final 2026
The 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Final was held on 16 June at our Derry~Londonderry campus. Eight finalists showcased their research in just three minutes, competing for a range of awards. Congratulations to our winners:
Winner: Jodie Mills
3MT® Title: Living with Parkinson’s: Can Alexa be your speech therapist?
Jodie Mills, a PhD researcher in the School of Health Sciences, won with her presentation on the potential of voice-assisted technology to improve communication for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Runner Up: Varsha Natarajan
3MT® Title: How Earth’s sand dunes can take you to Mars?
Varsha Natarajan, a PhD researcher in the School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, received the Runner Up prize for her research investigating how dune movements on Earth can be used to improve our understanding of the Martian landscape and climate.
People's Choice Award: Jamie-Maria McNulty
3MT® Title: Can Help Really Be Just One Click Away?
Jamie-Maria McNulty, a PhD researcher in the School of Psychology, won the People’s Choice Award for her research examining how digital mental health support can be better tailored to meet the needs of neurodivergent young people across the island of Ireland, including those living with ADHD, autism and dyslexia.
Previous Winners
About the Competition
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 motivation, background and significance to the research question.
- 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.
Rules and Criteria
Eligibility
Active PhD and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have successfully passed their Confirmation of Registration assessment, i,e. at the end of first year (or part time equivalent) (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in the 3MT® competition.
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 to commence from the stage.
- 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.
Why do the 3MT®?
Contact
For further information and queries about the 3MT® competition please contact Lisa Thompson.
Lisa Thompson
Doctoral Development Manager
