PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition 2025

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

The Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (FCMS) is proud to host the 3MT® competition, where our PhD candidates showcase their innovative research in just three minutes! This exciting challenge, originally developed by The University of Queensland, tests students' ability to communicate complex research concepts clearly and effectively to a general audience. The winner will represent FCMS in PolyU's university-wide 3MT® competition, competing against top presenters from other faculties. Challenge yourself! Present your PhD research in just 3 minutes. Your research deserves to be heard!

Introduction

The Three Minute Thesis competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by Doctor of Philosophy students. Developed by The University of Queensland, 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills.

The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

PolyU FCMS 3MT® Competition

3MT® is run as a tiered competition. FCMS Departments will make nominations to the faculty competition. Participants are required to present their research in English.  The winner of FCMS will be nominated to Graduate School (GS) to participate in the University-level competition.

FCMS is going to host its 3MT® at 3:00 pm on 4 June 2025 (Wednesday) at TU103.

Training Workshops

The 3MT briefing and training workshops are provided to all research students interested in the 3MT competition. The workshops will cover essential strategies that participants need to master for a successful 3MT presentation. Details are as follows: 
Registration for the workshop : Registration link

Briefing (Hybrid mode)

• Date: 12 May 2025 (Mon)
• Time: 11:30 am
• Venue: AG311 / Online
• Instructor: Ms Winnie Shum, English Language Centre of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Workshop 1

• Date and Time:
  (1^st Round) 12 May 2025 (Mon), 2:30 pm
  (2^nd Round) 13 May 2025 (Tue), 11:30 am 
• Venue: AG311 
• Instructor: Dr Andy Fung, English Language Centre of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Workshop 2

• Date and Time:
  (1^st Round) 13 May 2025 (Tue), 2:30 pm 
  (2^nd Round) 14 May 2025 (Wed), 11:30 am 
• Venue: AG311
• Instructor: Ms Winnie Shum, English Language Centre of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Workshop 3

• Date and Time:
  (1^st Round) 14 May 2025 (Wed), 2:30 pm                     
  (2^nd Round) 15 May 2025 (Thu), 11:30 am 
• Venue: FJ303 / FJ304
• Instructor: Dr Issa Ying, English Language Centre of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Workshop 4

• Date and Time:
  (1^st Round) 15 May 2025 (Thu), 2:30 pm                       
  (2^nd Round) 16 May 2025 (Fri), 11:00 am 
• Venue: AG311 / CF302
• Instructor: Dr Andy Fung, English Language Centre of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Eligibility

• Full-time/Part-time PhD students, who have passed their confirmation of registration and whose award has not been ratified by the Graduate School Board as of 31 October 2025, are eligible to participate.
• Graduates are not eligible to participate.
• All participants must be nominated by their affiliated departments. Each department is allowed to nominate up to 3 eligible PhD students.
  

     Please Note: Students enrolled in any of the following programmes are not eligible to enter the 3MT Competition:
     - Masters (coursework)
     - Professional Doctorate (less than 2/3 research)

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.

Judging Criteria

A panel will be formed by the Interim Dean of FCMS. Each participant will be assessed based on the following criteria:

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.

Judging Panel 

Prizes 

Cash prizes and certificates will be awarded to the winners of the Competition. 

• Winner: HK$3,000
• 1^st Runner-up: HK$2,000
• 2^nd Runner-up: HK$1,000

Guide

3MT® drafting

Write for your audience

• Avoid jargon and academic language.
• Explain concepts and people important to your research - you may know all about Professor Smith’s theories but your audience may not.
• Highlight the outcomes of your research, and the desired outcome.
• Imagine that you are explaining your research to a close friend or fellow student from another field.
• Convey your excitement and enthusiasm for your subject.

Tell a story

• You may like to present your 3MT® as a narrative, with a beginning, middle and end.
• It’s not easy to condense your research into three minutes, so you may find it easier to break your presentation down into smaller sections.
• Try writing an opener to catch the attention of the audience, then highlight your different points, and finally have a summary to restate the importance of your work.

Have a clear outcome in mind

• Know what you want your audience to take away from your presentation.
• Try to leave the audience with an understanding of what you’re doing, why it is important, and what you hope to achieve.

Revise

• Proof your 3MT® presentation by reading it aloud, to yourself and to an audience of friends and family.
• Ask for feedback.
• Ask your audience if your presentation clearly highlights what your research is about and why it is important.

3MT® slide

Rules

Before you start work on your slide, you should take the following rules into account:

• One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted;
• No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are permitted;
• Your slide is to be presented from the beginning of your oration; and
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.

Suggestions

You may like to consider some of the following suggestions.

• Less is more: text and complicated graphics can distract your audience – you don’t want them to read your slide instead of listening to your 3MT®.
• Personal touches: personal touches can allow your audience to understand the impact of your research.
• Creativity drives interest: do not rely on your slide to convey your message – it should simply complement your oration.
• Work your message: think about how your slide might be able to assist with the format and delivery of your presentation – is there a metaphor that helps explain your research?
• An engaging visual presentation can make or break any oration, so make sure your slide is legible, clear and concise.

3MT® presentation

Practice, practice, practice

• Feeling nervous before you present is natural, and a little nervousness can even be beneficial to your overall speech. Nonetheless, it is important to practice so you can present with confidence and clarity. Practicing will also help you gauge the timing of your 3MT® so that you keep within the time limit.

Vocal range

• Speak clearly and use variety in your voice (fast/slow, loud/soft).
• Do not rush – find your rhythm.
• Remember to pause at key points as it gives the audience time to think about what you are saying.

Body language

• Stand straight and confidently.
• Hold your head up and make eye contact.
• Never turn your back to the audience.
• Practise how you will use your hands and move around the stage. It is okay to move around energetically if that is your personality, however it is also appropriate for a 3MT® presentation to be delivered from a single spot on stage.
• Do not make the common mistakes of rolling back and forth on your heels, pacing for no reason or playing with your hair as these habits are distracting for the audience.

Record yourself

• Record and listen to your presentation to hear where you pause, speak too quickly or get it just right.
• Then work on your weaknesses and exploit your strengths.

Look to the stars!

• Watch your role models such as academics, politicians and journalists, and break down their strengths and weaknesses.
• Analyse how they engage with their audience.
• View presentations by previous 3MT finalists.

Dress

• There is no dress code, if you are unsure of how to dress you may like to dress for a job interview or an important meeting. It is important that you feel comfortable so you can focus on your presentation.
• If you are presenting on a stage that has a wooden floor, be aware of the noise your footwear might make.
• Do not wear a costume of any kind as this is against the rules (as is the use of props).

Enquiry

For enquiries, please contact Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences by phone 3400 3944 or email fcms.enquiry@polyu.edu.hk.

Acknowledgement 

The Presentation Rules, Judging Criteria and Competitor Guide are based on those developed by the University of Queensland, Australia.