3MT® Competition

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)[1] is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland in Australia. Graduate students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis/internship/research project and its significance. The exercise fosters academic, presentation, and research communication skills, while developing students' abilities to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. The Three Minute Thesis is held annually by the Graduate School during the Fall semester.

3MT® 2023 Competition: Monday, November 6
3MT® 2023 Application Deadline: Friday, October 27

3MT Announcement

Congratulations 2022 Winners!

First Place: Kerryanne Litzenberg, M.S. Marine Biology                                                         

                 The Possibilities are Limulus: Our Vital Need for the Atlantic Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus

See the slide | Watch the video

Second Place & People's Choice: Duncan Williamson, M.S. Environmental and Sustainability Studies                   

                 South Carolina Water Monitoring Portal: Visualize, Download, and Upload South Carolina Water Quality Data 

See the slide | Watch the video     

Watch the videos from all our 3MT® competitors!

RULES
  • A single static PowerPoint slide (no slide transitions, animations, or movement of any description; the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration) is permitted.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g., notecards, costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be memorized in spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps, or songs).
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts the presentation through movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Students will be judged on the quality of their presentation's content, comprehension, audience engagement and communication.

STUDENT AWARDS
  • 1st place: $500 and an opportunity to participate in the regional competition
  • 2nd place: $250
  • People's Choice: $200

All graduate students working on a thesis, internship, or research project are eligible.

[1] Modified from The University of Queensland Australia Handbook for participating universities; www.threeminutethesis.org