Three-Minute-Thesis Competition - PhD theses explained in three minutes

Are you a PhD student at the University of Göttingen? Can you present the core message of your doctoral thesis in just three minutes? Can you explain your research to a group of lay people – in English? Then this is something for you!

We are delighted to launch the call for the 2026 Three-Minute-Thesis (3MT) Competition.

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.

Haven’t heard about it so far?

Göttingen’s PhD students already participated four times at the international Coimbra Group 3MT competition and three times they made it to the finals.

Since 2024 the Graduate Schools and Alumni Göttingen e.V. are hosting their own Three-Minute-Thesis format in the course of the universities alumni day according to the rules and judging criteria of the University of Queensland, inventor of the 3MT format.

How does it work?

The competition will be held on 30^th May 2026 at the Central Lecture Hall Building (ZHG), Platz der Göttinger Sieben starting at 15:30.

The competitors will present their research within three minutes with a single static slide (follow the rules). A jury consisting of one representative of the Public Relations Department, the Alumni Göttingen e.V. and each Graduate School will decide on the ranking of all presentations. The audience will select their favourite 3MT slammer – so bring your colleagues and friends. Thanks to Alumni Göttingen e.V. prizes of in sum 850 € will be awarded.

How do you prepare? How do we prepare?

We are happy to announce that again we can offer a coaching for all PhD students, who will present on 30^th May. The participation in the coaching is optional but highly recommended. In online-based preparatory sessions and an onsite-meeting you will be able to discuss your three-minute presentation and to work on your slide design regarding its content and presentation.
You will find out how challenging it is to present your PhD topic in just 3 minutes to a general, non-scientific audience with only one static slide. Competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.

How to participate?

Now you will probably want to know, where you can apply for the participation.

Please write an email until 31^st March 2026 to your respective graduate school

and provide the following information.

Name
PhD programme
Working title of your thesis

Please note: In order to present the diversity of research disciplines at our university, we try to build the program accordingly, and admit only one PhD student per working group.

If you want to come as a guest to join this vibrant and cross-disciplinary event, mark it in your schedule.