Instructions for Presenters
3MT Competition
The rules and judging criteria for the AARES 3 Minute Thesis competition are based on those devised by the University of Queensland. Further information and tips can be found at http://threeminutethesis.org/
Competition Format and Timing
The 3MT competition will be held in two rounds during the lunch break on Thursday, 12th February 2026.
Round 1: Pre-selection
Round 2: Final
Rules
Judging criteria
The winner will be chosen based on the following judging criteria:
Comprehension & Content
The rules and judging criteria for the AARES 3 Minute Thesis competition are based on those devised by the University of Queensland. Further information and tips can be found at http://threeminutethesis.org/
Competition Format and Timing
The 3MT competition will be held in two rounds during the lunch break on Thursday, 12th February 2026.
Round 1: Pre-selection
- Start time: 1:00 pm
- Format: Three concurrent sessions
- Rooms: Riverbank 2, Riverbank 3, and Riverbank 4
- Judging: Each room will have a panel of two judges
- Outcome: One best presentation from each room will be selected for the final round
- Please see here for Round 1 participant names, along with their allocated presentation times and rooms.
Round 2: Final
- Start time: 1:30 pm
- Participants: 3 finalists (one from each pre-selection room)
- Rooms: Riverbank 5
- Judging: A separate panel of two judges will decide the overall winner and the runners-up of the 3MT 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.
- Presentation slides will be preloaded
- 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.
- A bell will be rung at 3 minutes, at which point the presenter must stop speaking and leave the stage immediately. The next presenter will begin straight away.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (eg. 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 winner (and two runners-up) will be announced at the closing ceremony of the conference. The winner will receive a $300 prize, and the two runners-up will receive $150 each.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Judging criteria
The winner will be chosen based on the following judging criteria:
Comprehension & Content
- Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
- Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
- Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
- Was the thesis topic, key results and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
- Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
- Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?
- Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
- Was the presenter careful not to trivialise or generalise their research?
- Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
- Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
- Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
- Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?