UQ's 2026 3MT winner Jason Wang from UQ Law School.
(Photo credit: University of Queensland )
UQ Law School PhD candidate Jason Wang has won The University of Queensland's 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) final for his research exploring when artificial intelligence should be allowed to shape judicial decision-making in Australian courts.
Mr Wang was one of 8 finalists who had just 3 minutes to explain their research and its significance to a general audience, supported by a single static slide.
Mr Wang's presentation challenged the audience to think carefully about the role of AI in institutions such as courts.
"AI promises faster, more cost-effective justice, but efficiency can come at the cost of participation, reasons, appeal rights and public trust," Mr Wang said.
"It may suit routine, low-discretion matters, but human judges must remain central where justice requires moral discretion.
"My thesis develops a framework to help ensure that the use of AI in judicial decision-making supports, rather than undermines, a fair and transparent justice system."
Mr Wang said participating in 3MT helped shape how he communicated his research to a wider audience.
"The competition challenged me to explain a complex legal and technological issue in a way that resonates with people beyond academia and the legal profession," he said.
UQ Graduate School Dean Professor Virginia Slaughter said the 2026 final showcased the depth and diversity of doctoral research across the University.
"The 3MT competition is one of the highlights of the academic year," Professor Slaughter said.
"The final provides a unique opportunity to hear from emerging researchers tackling important challenges across a wide range of disciplines.
"The standard of this year's presentations was exceptional and reflects the quality of research being undertaken at UQ.
"Congratulations to Jason Wang and to all finalists for communicating their research with such skill and enthusiasm."
UQ's 2026 3MT finalists and Graduate School dean (l-r) Aaron Netto, Marisca Austin Pere, Matthew Armanasco, Rani Tesiram, Professor Virginia Slaughter, Koko Kawaura, Jason Wang, Keely Perry, and Kwang Keat Leong.
(Photo credit: University of Queensland)
The 3MT finalists progressed after winning competitions across UQ, along with a Wildcard entrant.
Aaron Netto from the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology , this year's Wildcard entrant, was named runner-up for his research on a vaccine combatting HTLV-1, a virus that causes aggressive cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.
The People's Choice category was awarded jointly to Kwang Keat Leong from AIBN and Koko Kawaura from the School of Chemical Engineering .
Mr Wang will now represent UQ in the Asia-Pacific 3MT final on October 14, competing against PhD candidates from universities across the region.
The 3MT concept originated at UQ in 2008 by Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson , then Graduate School Dean.
The concept was inspired by a water-saving measure during the 2006-07 drought, when Queensland residents were encouraged to use egg timers to time their showers.
Now a global competition, 3MT is held at more than 900 institutions across more than 85 countries.
View the full list of 2026 UQ 3MT finalists.
