UQ 3MT Wildcard Competition 2026

An 80,000-word thesis. Their time... 3 minutes.

The competition isn't over yet.

The University of Queensland's highest-performing runners-up from the Faculty Finals and the Combined University Institutes Final will compete in the 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Wildcard Competition for one final opportunity to secure a place in the University of Queensland 3MT® Final.

After progressing through a series of competitions, these outstanding Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates will take to the stage once more. Only one presenter will earn the coveted wildcard position and join the finalists competing for the title of 2026 UQ 3MT® Champion.

Come along to watch dynamic 3-minute presentations showcasing the breadth and excellence of research at UQ. Representing disciplines from across the University, finalists will present their research in an engaging and accessible way for a non-specialist audience.

All academic and professional staff, students (undergraduate, postgraduate and research), alumni, and members of the wider community are welcome to attend. Attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for the People's Choice Award.

The winner of this competition will secure the final place in the 2026 UQ 3MT® Final, where they will compete for the title of UQ 3MT® Champion and the opportunity to represent The University of Queensland in the Virtual Asia-Pacific 3MT® Competition.

The event details are:

• Date: Wednesday 9 September 2026

• Time: 9:45am arrival for a 10:00am sharp start, concluding at 11:00am

• Location: Terrace Room, Level 6, Sir Llew Edwards Building (14), St Lucia QLD 4072

The 2026 UQ 3MT® Wildcard Competitors are:

• Faculty of Business, Economics and Law: Peter Bristow (Economics)

• Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology: Fadi Almaghrbi (EECS)

• Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences: Sean Halstead (UQ Medical School and Clinical Units)

• Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences: Swastika Samanta (SCA)

• Faculty of Science: Zoe Dimarco (SENV)

• Combined University Institutes: Aaron Netto (AIBN)

Please register by Tuesday 8 September 2026.