3MT® Preparation for Doctoral Students

A focused skills session to help doctoral researchers prepare for Three Minute Thesis competitions (3MT® coaching)

A targeted online session designed specifically for doctoral students preparing for 3MT® (Three Minute Thesis) competitions. This short, interactive training covers the unique requirements of 3MT®: how the competition works, what judges look for, and how to craft a compelling 3-minute presentation for non-expert audiences.

Doctoral students will learn the specific skills needed for 3MT® success, including how to structure their talk using proven frameworks, as well as useful tips to help them design an effective single slide, and deliver with confidence and clarity.

Approach: Interactive skill-building session with 3MT-specific guidance, examples, individual scripting exercises, peer feedback, slide design guidelines, and delivery tips

Practical component: Participants draft their 3MT® script and brainstorm ideas for their single slide, receiving peer feedback to refine their approach before competition day.

Delivery: 2 hours online (Zoom or your preferred platform)

Group size: up 100 participants

See what’s included Get in touch

SciComm Skills Session: 3MT Preparation for Doctoral Students

What we cover in 2 hours:

What 3MT® is and how it works: competition format, rules, timeline, and what to expect on competition day
Understanding the judging criteria: what judges look for and how to meet their expectations (comprehension, engagement, communication)
People’s Choice vs. judges’ vote: strategies that work for both audiences
Structuring a 3MT talk for non-expert audiences: proven frameworks for organizing complex research into 3 accessible minutes
Crafting a compelling script: writing for the spoken word, making every second count
Single slide design guidelines – creating one powerful visual that supports (not duplicates) your talk
Delivery tips for competition day: voice, presence, and managing nerves in a formal presentation setting

Practical work: Participants create a first draft of their 3MT script during the session and receive peer feedback, leaving with a solid foundation to refine and practice.

Interaction in this Skills Session is designed around guided individual exercises, chat-based reflection, and selected plenary discussion, rather than small-group coaching or personalised feedback.

What this session does NOT cover:

This session provides focused preparation for 3MT® specifically, not general presentation skills or in-depth training on slides or delivery. We don’t cover:

Comprehensive slide design principles (just 3MT-specific guidelines for your single slide)
Extensive delivery coaching or rehearsal time
Longer presentation formats or different flash talk types
Storytelling frameworks beyond what’s needed for 3MT®

Need more comprehensive presentation training?

See related training options below, or consider our comprehensive multi-day, 1-day, and half-day presentation training options.

See presentation training options

Perfect for

Doctoral programmes preparing students for institutional 3MT® competitions
Graduate schools running 3MT® events as part of doctoral training
Universities supporting students advancing to regional or national 3MT finals
Research institutions offering 3MT® as a professional development opportunity

This session works best as targeted preparation 4-8 weeks before competition day, giving students time to refine and practice after the training.

Looking for related skills sessions or longer-format training?

Build complementary skills with other SciComm Skills Sessions like:

Flash Talks for Researchers (for other short-form presentations)
Using Voice and Body Language Effectively (for confident delivery)
Visual Communication Essentials (for creating clear visuals)

Looking for a more immersive learning experience? Our SciComm Impact Week is a 3-5 day programme where researchers create their 3MT® talks step by step, culminating in a public outreach event on the final day. We can help you plan the week, deliver the coaching, moderate the showcase event, and even train your team to run these events in the future.