Rules
A. Eligibility
All the PhD students enrolled in a Doctoral Program at the University of Coimbra are eligible for this competition. There is no restriction on age, gender, or nationality.
B. Application
The candidates should apply online using the form available at the following link: https://ls.uc.pt/index.php/623235?lang=en
The application includes:
- filling out the form,
- send a 3 minutes video in Portuguese or English (follow the indications in the Application section)
- filling, signing, and sending the GDPR/Image declaration (inside of the form, the consent is available here)
The Application starts on December 13th, 2023.
Deadline: January 15th 2024, 5pm, January 19th 2024, 5pm.
C. Finalists selection
Phase 1) Pre-selection 1 (at UC)
The UC jury will select the best 20 videos submitted by the candidates.
Results until February 9th, 2024
Phase 2) Pre-selection 2 (at UC)
The selected candidates will participate in the UC 3M Thesis Training (8 hours total). This Training includes: Media Training, How to pitch an idea? and Design Thinking in Science Communication Projects.
The 20 candidates will participate in the UC 3MT Competition Final that will be held at March 8th in Coimbra. The UC jury will select one UC 3MT Competition winner.
Phase 3) Pre-selection 3 (Coimbra Group Competition)
The UC 3MT Competition winner will have his/her video sent to be evaluated and to participate in the Coimbra Group Competition. If chosen by the Jury of the Coimbra Group, the UC winner has to participate in the Finals at the Coimbra Group Annual Conference, on June 6th 2024.
Phase 4) The Final 3MT Competition (Coimbra Group Competition)
Three Finalists, from 3 Universities of the Coimbra Group, will participate in the Final 3MT Competition at the Coimbra Group Annual Conference.
D. During the competition
There are some rules that the competitors should follow during the competition:
1. Presentations are limited to 3 minutes and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
2. A single static slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations, or 'movement' of any description). As regards the video submitted to the Coimbra Group Office, the slide must not be included/merged into the video but must be submitted as a separate PDF file. A title slide containing the name of the university, the name of the contestant, the title of the presentation, and the research area should be submitted along with the slide illustrating the talk.
3. The video must be filmed at an institutional live 3MT event, and not be a “studio” recording. It must have only one camera angle filmed from one static position. Zoom in and out from the static position is acceptable. The presentation by the doctoral researcher must stand for itself: oral introductions at the event shall not be included, nor any opening credits by the producers.
4. The 3-minute audio must be continuous – no cuts, edits, breaks, etc.
5. No additional props (e.g. laser pointer, costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment, animated backgrounds) are permitted.
6. Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs).
7. Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts the presentation through movement or speech.
8. No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted within the video recording.
9. Video submissions not following the rules above will not be accepted. A group of technical experts will decide upon such cases. Eligible videos will be judged by the jury. The jury’s decision is definitive.
E. Criteria for selection of finalists
The judging criteria will be:
Comprehension
Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance of the research topic being addressed, while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
Was the thesis topic, research significance, results/impact, and outcomes communicated in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
Did the presenters spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?
Scientific content
Did the presentation address a research question?
Is the scientific content correct?
Engagement and communication
Did the talk make the audience want to know more?
Was the candidate careful not to trivialise or generalise his/her research?
Did the candidate convey enthusiasm for his/her research?
Did the candidate capture and maintain the audience's attention?
Did the candidate 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?
F. Awards
Phase 1: All the participants will receive a certificate.
Phase 2: The winner of the University of Coimbra 3MT will also receive a special prize.
Phase 3: If the UC winner is one of the three finalists selected to go to the Final 3MT Competition (University of Montpelier), all the expenses will be covered by the University of Coimbra.
Fase 4: Monetary award given by Coimbra Group (https://www.coimbra-group.eu/coimbra-group-3-minute-thesis-competition/).
G. Organizing Committee at the University of Coimbra
Ana Santos Carvalho – III, UC
Sara Amaral – CNC, UC
Joana Tereso – DCOM, UC
Marta Costa – DCOM, UC
Karine Paniza – DCOM, UC