three minute thesis rules

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• What is 3MT®?

The idea for the 3MT® competition came about at a time when the state of Queensland was suffering severe drought. To conserve water, residents were encouraged to time their showers, and many people had a three minute egg timer fixed to the wall in their bathroom. The then Dean of the University of Qeensland Graduate School, Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson, put two and two together and the idea for the 3MT competition was born: to challenge grad students to describe their research in under three minutes to a general audience.

The first 3MT® competition was held at UQ in 2008 with 160 students competing. In 2009 and 2010 the 3MT® competition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew. Due to its adoption in numerous universities, a multi-national event was developed, and the Inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT® competition was held at UQ in 2010. Since 2011, the popularity of the competition has increased and 3MT® competitions are now held in over 600 universities and institutions across 59 countries worldwide.

CU Boulder's 3MT schedule is as follows: 

• Communicating your research in three minutes
• The art of storytelling
• Communicating complex topics: avoiding jargon; ABT framework
• Finding your presentation voice
• Improv comedy techniques
• Phase 2:  All 3MT® Applicants will be scheduled to present their 3MT® presentation to a Campus Selection Committee December.  The Committee will select 10 students to advance to Phase 3.
• Phase 3:  The top 10 finalists will present their three-minute oral presentation in February. A committee of judges from the university and the community will select one first-place winner and one runner-up, and the audience will vote for the people's choice winner. The first-place winner will advance to Phase 4.
• Phase 4: The first-place winner of the CU Boulder competition will represent the university at the Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS) competition in March. 

The 3MT® competition was first developed by the University of Queensland in 2008, and they have prepared a comprehensive set of rules and judging criteria. The competition will employ these same guidelines.  Please view the complete rules and judging criteria online . 

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

Judging Criteria

Presentations will be judged based on the following: 

Engagement & Communication  

• The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
• The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

Comprehension & Content

• Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question
• Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
• Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research
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Videos of Successful 3MT Presentations

Competition Rules and Guidelines

Eligibility.

Any actively-enrolled DOCTORAL student or candidate, as well as any Professional Doctorate Research (program composed of at least 2/3 research and eligible for RTP) candidates. Graduates are not eligible.

PLEASE NOTE: Individual colleges (or campuses) may have more stringent eligibility requirements if they choose. For example, some colleges may require that their students have passed their prelims. Other colleges require that a faculty member nominate them to compete. Colleges may not  have  easier  requirements.

Students enrolled in any of the following programs are not eligible to enter the 3MT Competition:

• Masters (MPhil and coursework)
• Professional Doctorate with less than 2/3 research

The eligible student will participate in just one qualifying event. The student will participate in their own college event if at WSU Pullman or WSU Spokane. Or, if on another campus, then regardless of their college, they should participate in the respective campus event. A college has the option of allowing one of their students to compete in the college event instead of the campus event but we strongly recommend, for the strength of the campus events, that this only be permitted in exigent circumstances.

Interdisciplinary students should participate in the college where the majority of their research exists, as determined by the faculty advisor in consultation with the WSU Graduate School.

[CLARIFICATIONS ADDED MARCH 10, 2023: A college department may host a prequalification event at the departmental or program level to determine who participates in the college-level event. These events do not constitute a qualifying event for the WSU Three Minute Thesis. Only the college-level or campus-level events are considered qualifying events. The final event in Pullman is NOT considered a campus-level event (i.e., there is no “WSU Pullman” event) but rather a system-level event that just happens to take place in Pullman. ]

Participating students agree to final event being broadcast or streamed live and WSU 3MT administrators potentially using likeness and image for any promotion, before, during, or after the event.

The 2023 faculty representative is Amy Roth McDuffie , professor of the Mathematics and Science Education.

Competition Rules

<< Download PowerPoint template that is already sized to fit the final WSU event in the Spark >>

• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files, laser pointers) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. 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 spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
• Presentations are to commence from the stage.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
• In most years, WSU shares who the judges are in advance of the competition. NO competitor should reach out to a judge through any medium in advance of the competition and discuss Three Minute Thesis. Neither competitor nor judge should have any ex parte communication. Should this be documented and proven, that competitor will be deemed disqualified and the next highest finisher for that college or campus will be declared the representative in the university-wide event.

Three Minute Countdown Timer

Three Minute Thesis has developed a countdown timer which is helpful for some students when presenting. This will simply be displayed on a screen facing the student. If a student does not want to see a countdown, the timer can face the time keeper. But the students are still bound by the time.

* Defined by the college of student’s doctoral chair. If student has co-chairs, they may participate in one college’s competition, and it should be the one most closely aligned with the research presented. If a student’s college or campus does not participate in 3MT, they are not eligible, but should encourage the college to participate in the future.

Visit our Judging Criteria page to see specifics about what the judges will be looking for in each presentation.

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

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Preparing your 3MT presentation

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• Eligibility, Rules and Judging Criteria
• Sussex 3MT 2023
• Sussex 3MT 2022
• Sussex 3MT 2020
• Sussex 3MT 2019
• Sussex 3MT 2018
• Sussex 3MT 2016

NOTE: Familiarise yourself with the 3MT rules and judging criteria  before starting your preparation. This guidance is taken from the University of Queensland's  official 3MT competitor resources .

Even the world’s best public speakers prepare before important presentations. To assist you with your preparations, please find a few suggestions below that will help you in writing your presentation, creating your slide and practising your verbal presentation.

Drafting your 3MT

Write for your audience The judges will look for evidence that you can explain your research to a non-specialist audience. You may like to:

• avoid jargon and academic language
• explain concepts and people important to your research - you may know all about Professor Smith’s theories but your audience may not
• highlight the outcomes of your research, and the desired outcome
• imagine that you are explaining your research to a close friend or fellow student from another field
• convey your excitement and enthusiasm for your subject

Tell a story

• You may like to present your 3MT as a narrative, with a beginning, middle and end.
• It’s not easy to condense your research into three minutes, so you may find it easier to break your presentation down into smaller sections.
• Try writing an opener to catch the attention of the audience, then highlight your different points, and finally have a summary to restate the importance of your work.

Have a clear outcome in mind

• Know what you want your audience to take away from your presentation.
• Try to leave the audience with an understanding of what you’re doing, why it is important, and what you hope to achieve.
• Proof your 3MT presentation by reading it aloud, firstly to yourself and then to an audience of friends and family.
• Ask for feedback.
• Ask your audience if your presentation clearly highlights what your research is  about and why it is important.

Creating your 3MT slide

Before you start work on your slide, you should take the following rules into account:

• one single static PowerPoint slide is permitted;
• no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are permitted;
• your slide is to be presented from the beginning of your oration; and
• no additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.

Suggestions

You may like to consider some of the following suggestions:

• Less is more : text and complicated graphics can distract your audience – you don’t want them to read your slide instead of listening to your 3MT. 
• Personal touches : personal touches can allow your audience to understand the impact of your research.
• Creativity drives interest : do not rely on your slide to convey your message – it should simply complement your oration.
• Work your message : think about how your slide might be able to assist with the format and delivery of your presentation – is there a metaphor that helps explain your research?
• An engaging visual presentation can make or break any oration, so make sure your slide is  legible, clear and concise .

Practising your 3MT presentation

Practice, practice, practice Feeling nervous before you present is natural, and sometimes a little nervousness can even be beneficial to your overall speech. Nonetheless, it is important to practice so you can present with confidence and clarity. Practicing will also help you gauge the timing of your 3MT so that you keep within the time limit.

Vocal range

• Speak clearly and use variety in your voice (fast/slow, loud/soft).
• Do not rush - find your rhythm.
• Remember to pause at key points as it gives the audience time to think about what you are saying.

Body language

• Stand straight and confidently.
• Hold your head up and make eye contact.
• Never turn your back to the audience.
• Practise how you will use your hands and move around the stage. It is okay to move around energetically if that is your personality, however it is also appropriate for a 3MT presentation to be delivered from a single spot on stage.
• Do not make the common mistakes of rolling back and forth on your heels, pacing for no reason or playing with your hair as these habits are distracting for the audience.

Record yourself

• Record and listen to your presentation to hear where you pause, speak too quickly or get it just right.
• Then work on your weaknesses and exploit your strengths.

Look to the stars!

• Watch your role models such as academics, politicians and journalists, and break down their strengths and weaknesses.
• Analyse how they engage with their audience.
• Visit  the Queensland 3MT website , the Vitae 3MT webpages or search YouTube to view presentations from previous 3MT finalists.
• While there is no dress code, if you are unsure of how to dress you may like to dress for a job interview or an important meeting. It is important that you feel comfortable so you can focus on your presentation.
• If you are presenting on a stage that has a wooden floor, be aware of the noise your footwear might make.
• Do not wear a costume of any kind as this is against the rules (as is the use of props).

Further resources

There are many resources available online for further help. Useful ones might include:

Presenting your research effectively and with confidence - By previous 3MT finalists (Taylor & Francis resource)

How a competition changed my academic life - By Jamie Khoo, 2018 UK People's Choice winner

Is it worth doing the three minute thesis?  - By Mary Woessner, Victoria University

How to win the 3 minute thesis  - By Dr Inger Mewburn (aka @thesiswhisperer)

Making the most of your 3 minutes  - Simon Clews, University of Melbourne

Talk nerdy to me  - Melissa Marshall's TED talk

Vitae's 3MT webpages

These guidance pages are part of the University of Queensland's official 3MT competitor resources

E : [email protected]

Copyright © 2024, University of Sussex

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="three minute thesis rules"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Three minute thesis.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a competition for doctoral students to develop and showcase their research communication skills.

3MT Competition

Could you present your 80,000 word thesis or dissertation in three minutes? Do you want the excitement of competing with other graduate students for a total of $2,500 in prizes and the opportunity to participate in the Northeastern (U.S. and Canadian) round or even to showcase your research at the annual Council of Graduate Schools meeting?

 3MT is an annual competition sponsored by the Cornell Graduate School. 3MT challenges research-degree students to present a compelling story on their dissertation or thesis and its significance in just three minutes, in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. All enrolled doctoral students at the research stage (with at least some results to share) are eligible. In 2024, the Graduate School 3MT is also open to research master’s students. The next competition will take place in Spring 2025.

Learn more about the 2024 Graduate School 3MT competition.

Email [email protected] with any questions.

All newly created videos on this website are accessible. Closed captions are available for the video on this page, and selecting the option to watch in YouTube will provide a transcript for the video. For an accommodation for this archival video, please contact [email protected] .

The first 3MT was held at The University of Queensland (UQ) in 2008 with 160 graduate students competing. Enthusiasm for the 3MT concept grew, and its adoption by numerous universities led to the development of an international competition in 2010. Today students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Asia-Pacific region take part in their own regional and national events.

Cornell Graduate School hosted its ninth 3MT competition final round event on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Video submissions for the preliminary round was due on March 1, 2024, and was reviewed by a panel of volunteer judges using a common scoring rubric to select the finalists.

At the final round event, held in person on the Ithaca campus, a panel of judges scored presentations and selected the top two finalists. Additionally, audience members were able to vote for their favorite presenter for the People’s Choice Award.

3MT Resources

• Watch videos of finalists from Cornell’s 3MT contests .
• Learn more about the 2024 3MT winners and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2023 3MT winners and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2022 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2021 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2019 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2018 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2017 3MT winner and finalists .
• Watch a video of the inaugural 2019 Ivy 3MT event . Read more about the 2019 Ivy 3MT event .
• Watch videos of winning presentations from around the world .
• Read more about the Three Minute Thesis in Science Magazine .
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (i.e. no poems, raps, or songs).
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when presenters start their presentation through movement or speech.
• Presentations are to commence from the stage.
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any kind) and is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Zoom backgrounds are considered props. Please ensure your background is a blank screen or wall. 
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

Each of the judging criteria has equal weight. Note what each criterion has in common: An emphasis on audience.

Comprehension and Content

• Did the presentation provide a clear background and significance to the research question?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research?

Engagement and Communication

• Was the oration delivered clearly, and in language appropriate for a non-specialist audience?
• Was the PowerPoint slide clear and did it enhance the presentation?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research, and capture and maintain the audience’s attention?

For more information about the Cornell competition, email  [email protected] .

3MT competitor guide

Even the world’s best public speakers prepare before important presentations. To assist you with your preparations, please find a few suggestions below that will help you in writing your presentation, creating your slide and practising your presentation.

• 3MT drafting
• 3MT presentation
• Examples of 3MT presentations

Write for your audience

• Avoid jargon and academic language.
• Explain concepts and people important to your research - you may know all about Professor Smith’s theories but your audience may not.
• Highlight the outcomes of your research, and the desired outcome.
• Imagine that you are explaining your research to a close friend or fellow student from another field.
• Convey your excitement and enthusiasm for your subject.

Tell a story

• You may like to present your 3MT as a narrative, with a beginning, middle and end.
• It’s not easy to condense your research into three minutes, so you may find it easier to break your presentation down into smaller sections.
• Try writing an opener to catch the attention of the audience, then highlight your different points, and finally have a summary to restate the importance of your work.

Have a clear outcome in mind

• Know what you want your audience to take away from your presentation.
• Try to leave the audience with an understanding of what you’re doing, why it is important, and what you hope to achieve.
• Proof your 3MT presentation by reading it aloud, to yourself and to an audience of friends and family.
• Ask for feedback.
• Ask your audience if your presentation clearly highlights what your research is about and why it is important.

Before you start work on your slide, you should take the following rules into account:

• One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted;
• No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are permitted;
• Your slide is to be presented from the beginning of your oration; and
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.

Suggestions

You may like to consider some of the following suggestions.

• Less is more: text and complicated graphics can distract your audience – you don’t want them to read your slide instead of listening to your 3MT. 
• Personal touches: personal touches can allow your audience to understand the impact of your research.
• Creativity drives interest: do not rely on your slide to convey your message – it should simply complement your oration.
• Work your message: think about how your slide might be able to assist with the format and delivery of your presentation – is there a metaphor that helps explain your research?
• An engaging visual presentation can make or break any oration, so make sure your slide is  legible, clear and concise .

Practice, practice, practice

• Feeling nervous before you present is natural, and a little nervousness can even be beneficial to your overall speech. Nonetheless, it is important to practice so you can present with confidence and clarity. Practicing will also help you gauge the timing of your 3MT so that you keep within the time limit.

Vocal range

• Speak clearly and use variety in your voice (fast/slow, loud/ soft).
• Do not rush – find your rhythm.
• Remember to pause at key points as it gives the audience time to think about what you are saying.

Body language

• Stand straight and confidently.
• Hold your head up and make eye contact.
• Never turn your back to the audience.
• Practise how you will use your hands and move around the stage. It is okay to move around energetically if that is your personality, however it is also appropriate for a 3MT presentation to be delivered from a single spot on stage.
• Do not make the common mistakes of rolling back and forth on your heels, pacing for no reason or playing with your hair as these habits are distracting for the audience.  

Record yourself

• Record and listen to your presentation to hear where you pause, speak too quickly or get it just right.
• Then work on your weaknesses and exploit your strengths.

Look to the stars!

• Watch your role models such as academics, politicians and journalists, and break down their strengths and weaknesses.
• Analyse how they engage with their audience.
• View presentations by previous 3MT finalists .
• There is no dress code, if you are unsure of how to dress you may like to dress for a job interview or an important meeting. It is important that you feel comfortable so you can focus on your presentation.
• If you are presenting on a stage that has a wooden floor, be aware of the noise your footwear might make.
• Do not wear a costume of any kind as this is against the rules (as is the use of props).

For ideas and inspiration on how to develop your own 3MT presentation, there are many examples of previous 3MT finalists from a broad range of disciplines on our website:

• Past UQ Competition Finalists
• Past Asia-Pacific Competition Finalists
• Past Finalists from around the world

Three Minute Thesis

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition challenges graduate students to present their  thesis  or dissertation topic in just  three minutes + one slide.

An 80,000 word PhD thesis would take 9 hours to present. Their time limit... 3 minutes.

The Three Minute Thesis competition cultivates students’ academic, presentation and research communication skills, and celebrates exciting graduate research taking place at Boise State.

Winning participants earn the opportunity to move on to the statewide Three Minute Thesis competition, where they compete with graduate students from University of Idaho and Idaho State University.

About the 3MT

Learn more about the competition below!

Participant Information

Participants of the 3MT competition will be judged based on the following:

Communication Style:  Was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?

Comprehension:  Did the presentation help the audience to understand the research?

Engagement:  Did the oration make the audience want to know more?

Participants contend for first, second, and third place awards as determined by a panel of judges from the Boise community. Students are also eligible to win an audience choice award based on audience votes.

First Place: $750 Second Place: $500 Third Place: $250 Audience Choice: $250

3MT at Boise State

The Graduate College would like to congratulate the winners of Boise State’s 2024 3MT Finals and wish them luck at the 2024 Statewide 3MT competition.

• First Place : Haley Bridgewater – Biomolecular Sciences, Ph.D.
• Second Place : Jianna Gimenez – Master of Public Health
• Third Place : Matt Peck  – Counselor Education and Supervision, Ph.D.
• Audience Choice : Caleb Merritt – Creative Writing, M.F.A.

The 2024 3MT Finals were held on January 24th, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., in the Simplot Ballroom in the SUB.

2024 Finals Competitors

2024 judging panel and criteria, evolution of the boise state 3mt, 2023 statewide three minute thesis.

On February 7, 2023, graduate students from Boise State, Idaho State, and University of Idaho competed in the Idaho Three Minute Thesis competition to each present their research in three minutes or less. Boise State competitors brought home first and second place!

First Place: Adrian Rodriguez — Master of Public Health

Second Place: Bridget Bittmann — Hydrologic Sciences, M.S.

Boise State Competitors

Statewide three minute thesis website, origin of the 3mt, 2023 wags annual conference.

Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS) Annual Conference 3MT Competition.

The Three Minute Thesis Competition brings together some of the most significant research being conducted by graduate students today. Graduate students have three minutes and one slide to distill their thesis or dissertation into a compelling pitch for the audience. Boise State Graduate Student Adrian Rodriguez, a member of the Master of Public Health program, took home second place at the 2023 Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS).

Previous 3MT Competitions

History of the 3mt.

The Three Minute Thesis competition was developed by the University of Queensland and celebrates the exciting research conducted by graduate students. The first 3MT® competition was held in 2008, and now the competition is held in over 600 universities across more than 65 countries worldwide.

The competition cultivates student’s academic, presentation, and research communication skills, and helps graduate students to effectively explain their research in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

In spring of 2016, the Graduate College hosted the first Boise State University Three Minute Thesis competition.

2024 Award Winners

2023 award winners.

• First Place: Adrian Rodriguez – Master of Public Health
• Second Place: Bridget Bittmann – Hydrologic Sciences, M.S.
• Third Place: Kym Couch  – Public Policy and Administration, Ph.D.
• Audience Choice: Ashley Leavell – Biology, M.S.

2022 Award Winners

• First Place: Dalton Miller – Chemistry, M.S.
• Second Place: Jessica Bernardin – Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, Ph.D.
• Third Place: Jacob Manzi – Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ph.D.
• Audience Choice: Rebecca Miller – Materials Science and Engineering, Ph.D.

2021 Award Winners

• First Place: Luke Tellers — Hydrologic Sciences, MS
• Second Place: Ember Sikorski — Materials Science and Engineering, PhD
• Third Place: Sam Haskell — Communication, MA
• Audience Choice: Bryan Rosenblatt — Geophysics, MS

2020 Award Winners

• First Place: Rachel Phinney – Health Promotion, MHS
• Second Place: Lisa Roggenbuck – Visual Arts, MFA
• Third Place: Allison Borzoni – English, Rhetoric and Composition, MA
• Third Place: Cristina Barber Alvarez-Buylla – Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, PhD
• Audience Choice: Sherise Porchia – Counseling, MA

2019 Award Winners

• First Place: Alexander Regner – Materials Science and Engineering, MS
• Second Place: Roxanne Stone – Interdisciplinary Studies, MS
• Third Place: Nick Pollock – Geosciences, PhD
• Audience Choice: Vannessa Campfield – Chemistry, MS
• Audience Choice: Rezvan Joshaghani – Computer Science, MS

2018 Award Winners

• First Place: Sepideh Rastegar – Electrical and Computer Engineering, PhD
• Second Place: AuraLea Fain – Kinesiology, MS
• Audience Choice: Nikki Cannon – Communication, MA

Previous Competition Videos

View Past Boise State 3MTs

Graduate Student Success Center

3MT - 3 Minute Thesis

2024 3MT University Competition Participants

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a research presentation competition that originated at the University of Queensland in 2008. Since then, the program has spread to universities worldwide. Students participating in the 3MT competition have three minutes to give an oral presentation based on their research. The presentation should avoid discipline-specific jargon and be presented so a lay audience can understand the significance of the research. 

Competitions are held in graduate departments and at the college level to determine which graduate student will advance to the university-wide competition. The competitor who wins first place will receive $2,000, second place will receive $1,500, third place will receive $1,000, and the Presenter's choice will win $500. The remaining participants will each receive $250.

For video examples of past 3MT presentations, visit the official 3MT website .

The following are the competition rules as given directly from 3MT:

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

For a complete list of rules and more information on judging criteria, please visit the 3MT website .

Congratulations to the winners from our 2024 3MT Event!

Jared Steele Life Sciences Leveraging SuperShoe Technology for Clinical Care 1 st place winner

Luke Taylor Engineering Improving Medical Capsule Localization 2 nd place winner

Khiara Cardoza Family, Home, and Social Sciences Exploring Gender Differences in Infertility 3 rd place winner and Presenter's Choice

2024 3MT University Competition Winners

• Three Minute Thesis >

On This Page:

• About the Competition

Eligibility

Judging criteria.

Developed by the University of Queensland , the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by PhD students by cultivating students’ academic, presentation and research communication skills.

Participants are judged on the ability to effectively convey the essence and importance of their research in an engaging way to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes, with one PowerPoint slide.

The University at Buffalo 3MT Competition is co-hosted by the Graduate School and the Startup and Innovation Collaboratory (CoLab) powered by Blackstone LaunchPad .

Are you interested in practicing your pitch? Join us on  Thursday, Sept. 19,  4:30-5:30 p.m . or  Thursday, Oct. 17, 4-5 p.m.  in the CoLab (340 Student Union, University at Buffalo North Campus) to practice your 3-minute pitch and get feedback from Startup and Innovation Collaboratory staff. These sessions will also include coffee and a workshop, where you’ll learn how to tell your story quickly and effectively to any audience, gaining support and understanding of your work! 

The ninth annual Three Minute Thesis competition will take place on Friday, March 7, 2025.

Register to compete in the preliminary competition by Monday, Oct. 21, 2024 .

Currently enrolled UB doctoral students actively engaged in dissertation research who have been admitted to candidacy are eligible to participate. UB 3MT finalists who competed in previous years are not eligible.

A competitive candidate should have a well-conceived dissertation project, compelling data collected and a novel story to share. The work presented must have been conducted at the University at Buffalo for the student’s current degree program. Participants must be available to present on the day of the competition. All presentations will be videotaped and appear on the Three Minute Thesis website and Graduate School YouTube channel.

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. If material for public use is included on a slide, the reference(s) must be clearly cited on the slide. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Notes are prohibited during the preliminary competition, dress rehearsal and final competition.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps or songs).
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• Decisions made by the adjudicating committee are final.
• Communication style: Was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate for an intelligent but non-specialist audience?
• Comprehension: Did the presentation help the audience understand the research?
• Engagement: Did the presentation make the audience want to know more?
• First place: $2,000
• Second place: $1,500
• Third place: $1,000
• People's Choice Award: $500 (Determined by a viewer vote using a smart device, during the event.)

• Schedule 2024
• Judging Criteria
• Eligibility
• Resources for Participants
• Testimonials
• 2023 Finalists
• 2022 finalists
• 2021 Finalists
• 2020 Finalists
• 2024 Finalists
• A single, static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
• Images used in the slide must be your own, or you must have permission from the owner of the photo(s) and provide proper credit(s).
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted. Short audio clips may be played, if directly relevant to your research. For these presentations, pre-consultation or coaching with G+PS is recommended.
• No additional props (e.g. laser pointers, costumes, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• We encourage  creative  forms of research dissemination.
• Presentations are to be spoken word . Use of additional languages, singing, reading of sections of poetry or prose, or playing of musical instruments is allowed IF directly related to the research and used sparingly. For these presentations, pre-consultation or coaching with G+PS is recommended.
• No notes allowed . Presentations are to be memorized. *for virtual presentations, do not read from notes.
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum . Judges are recommended to deduct marks from presentations that exceed 3 minutes.
• Presentations must be based on research directly related to the student’s current graduate program thesis . Research performed for employment should not be present. Research completed as part of a prior degree should not be presented as current work.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech .
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Information for

• Peoplefinder
• Graduate Education

Prizes, Rules, and Criteria

First Place- $1000 Second Place- $750 Third Place- $500

Rules for Presentations

Presentations exceeding 3 minutes in length will be disqualified.

• Presentations must commence from the stage.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts the presentation through either movement or speech.
• A single, static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or “movement” of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the presentation.
• No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted.
• Presentations must be spoken word (i.e., no poems, raps, or songs).
• No additional props (e.g., note cards, costumes, musical instruments, or laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

Comprehension & Content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Were the thesis topic, key results, and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology, and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation, or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect, or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement & Communication

• Did the presentation make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain the audience’s attention?
• Did the speaker 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?

For more 3MT® information, contact Michelle Yang , Graduate Program Coordinator for the Graduate Division. Visit the Three Minute Thesis®) website to view winning presentations from around the globe.

Wayne State University

Graduate school graduate school, three-minute thesis (3mt) guidelines.

Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland in 2008. Participants present their thesis work in a short presentation using a single slide. The competition challenges students to distill their research ideas and discoveries into a concise, compelling presentation that can be understood by a general, non-specialist audience.

The 2024 3MT will take place during the Feb. 28, 2024, Graduate Research Symposium. After three years in a virtual environment, the GRS will return to its original in-person format in 2024 at the Student Center. GRS attendees will score the presentations and select a winner, who will move on to compete at the  Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools  April 4-6, 2024 in Clayton, MO.

The submission window is now closed.

Eligibility

The competition is open to Ph.D. students completing a thesis or a dissertation.

• Participants can use only one static PowerPoint slide. (No transitions, animations, or movement are allowed.)
• No additional electronic media are allowed. 
• No props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, models, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes; competitors who exceed the time limit will be disqualified.
• Presentations must be spoken word. No poems, raps, or songs are allowed.
• Participants must deliver their remarks from the stage.
• Presentations are considered to have begun when participants begin speaking or moving.
• The winners of the 3MT competition at the GRS will be selected by popular vote and the decision will be final.

Presentations will be judged by the participating audience.  Every member of the audience will vote for their top three presentations according to the criteria listed below. (Each audience member can vote only once for a specific competitor.)  The scores from all audience members will be compiled to determine the winners.

Comprehension and content

• Did the presentation help the audience understand the research?
• Was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience?

Engagement and communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• First place - $1000 plus the registration fee to attend the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools competition  
• Second place - $500 award
• Third place - $300 award 
• 3MT Competitor Guide by The University of Queensland (2017)
• 3MT: The Three Most Common Mistakes , a video featuring Inger Mewburn, director of research training at Australian National University
• 3MT: Three Tips to Help You Prepare a Winning Presentation , video featuring Rosanna Stevens, 2014 winner of the Australian National University 3MT competition
• How to Talk about Your Thesis in Three Minutes , a Prezi presentation by Inger Mewburn (2012)
• Making the Most of Your Three Minutes , a guide by Simon Clews
• Winning Tips for Preparing a Three-Minute Thesis Presentation , video by Sean McGraw  

Presentations

• 2017 People's Choice Award  winner, Nisansala Muthunayake, Chemistry
• 2017 First Place (tie), Xavier Swiecki, Art and Art History
• 2017 First Place (tie), Daniel Harrison, History
• View 3MT presentations on the University of Queensland's 3MT website

Graduate Student Success

The three minute thesis (3mt®).

The College of Graduate Studies hosts the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition to provide graduate students with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and network with fellow graduate students. Read below for more information about the competition!

About the 3mt®

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic competition during which students must effectively explain their graduate research in three minutes or less to an audience of specialists and non-specialists alike. 

The idea for the 3MT® competition came about at a time when the state of Queensland was suffering severe drought. To conserve water, residents were encouraged to time their showers, and many people had a three minute egg timer fixed to the wall in their bathroom. The then Dean of the UQ Graduate School, Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson, put two and two together and the idea for the 3MT® competition was born.

The first 3MT® competition was held at UQ in 2008 with 160 Research Higher Degree students competing. In 2009 and 2010, the 3MT® competition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew. Due to its adoption in numerous universities, a  multi-national event  was developed, and the Inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT® competition was held at UQ in 2010. Since 2011, the popularity of the competition has increased and 3MT® competitions are now held in over 600 universities and institutions across 63 countries worldwide.

In November 2013, the first  Universitas 21 (U21) 3MT® competition  was held with several universities from around the world competing in a virtual competition. 2016 brought an expansion of the Trans-Tasman 3MT® competition to include a select number of Asian universities. The competition is now called the  Asia-Pacific 3MT® competition .

Why should I participate?

• The competition builds presentation and communication skills.
• This is an opportunity to expand your network and develop new friendships!
• Participants learn to craft their very own elevator pitch that emphasizes why their research is so important!
• You'll be able to explain your research to potential employers who may not be experts in your research area.

Past Winner Testimonials

Read what past participants have shared about their experiences below!

“In a practical sense, the 3MT® competition successfully bridges the gap between academia and the public, an enormously beneficial task considering today’s surging population and exponential growth of information sharing."

Andrew Fialka , University Of Georgia, 2015 Winner

"It's very important to be able to explain your research in 3 minutes in a way that is easy to understand and conveys the general goal of your project...Being able to talk about my research in a few minutes has been very helpful for job interviews as well."

- Gilbert Castillo , North Carolina State University, 2016 Winner

" Preparing for and participating in the 3MT® competition was an incredible chance to develop my presentation skills and my research ‘pitch’. I had the opportunity to think very carefully about the ‘big picture’ aspect of my research."

- Erin Macri , University Of British Columbia-Vancouver, 2014 Runner-Up And People's Choice Winner

Watch past 3mt® winners.

Watch Rachel's (College of Medicine and Life Sciences alumna) winning presentation from 2020!

Watch competitors share their research from all over the world!

Read below for rules of the competition and how judges evaluate challenger presentations!

Who Can Participate?

All graduate students in good academic standing who have successfully passed their qualifying exams and are working on a thesis, dissertation, or scholarly project may participate.

Presentation

Challengers must present their research in three minutes or less in a spoken word format and can have a single, static presentation slide if they wish (most contestants opt for one!). They can't use any props, videos, or audio to present.

The timer starts once the challenger makes a movement or begins speaking. If they go over three minutes, they lose! 

A panel of 3-5 judges from different areas of speciality will evaluate the presenters based on the criteria below. Each of the below items is weighed equally and places emphasis on the audience's experience. The decision of the judges is final. 

Comprehension & Content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, key results, and research significance and outcomes communicated in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation? Did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement & Communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
• Did the presenter have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the presentation slide enhance the the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

How Does the Competition Work?

Wondering how it all works? Here's a quick timeline from preparing our challengers all the way to the final competition!

1. Prep 4 Success 4 the 3MT® Workshop Series

Excited to participate, but don't quite know where to begin? We've got you covered. We'll be kicking off October 2024 with a series of preparatory workshops designed to help you develop your very own presentation and confidently present it at our qualifying round! 

Writing a Recipe for a Tasty 3MT®

How do you transform your research into a concise, meaningful, and engaging verbal presentation that fits within 3 minutes? Where do you start? During this workshop, we equip you with a worksheet that helps you build the foundation of your presentation, but that's not all! In this workshop, we also share tips and tricks for "seasoning" your presentation to make it truly unique and yours. If you're new to Three Minute Thesis, you especially won't want to miss this!

Telling Your Visual Story for the 3MT®

Three Minute Thesis challengers get to have one, static presentation slide to accompany their presentation. What makes an impactful slide? We can help. This workshop will take you through useful tenets of design while providing you with effective and not-so-effective slide examples.  

Presentation Skills for the 3MT®

Delivery is an essential part of a successful Three Minute Thesis presentation. During this workhshop, we share our favorite bits of advice for confidently explaining your research.

3MT® Practice Labs

We always advise challengers to practice, practice, practice! You'll have the opportunity to put your script to the test while receiving feedback on compositon and delivery.

2. Qualifying Round

The following applies to all but Judith Herb College of Education graduate students, as the college hosts its own qualifying round via the THInC-3M Research Competition! 

On the week of November 4, 2024 , the College of Graduate Studies will hold a qualifying round and 10 challengers (including two from the THInC-3M Research Competition) will advance to the final round.

Challengers, keep an eye on your Rockets email! You will receive a message from the 3MT® competition coordinator with your qualifying round time slot based on the preferences you shared in the registration form. 

Following the final qualifying round presentation, scores will be tallied and all participants will receive an email within the same week with the results as well as the judging sheets with feedback. Even if you do not advance to the final competition, we invite you to come and cheer on your fellow Rockets!

3. Final Competition

The final competition will take place in front of a public audience comprised of the various members of the challengers' support systems! This is a celebration of the hard work all participants have put into the competition and we invite all students, staff, faculty, and community members to attend.

A panel of judges will select a first-place winner, runner-up, and honorable mention while the audience will select a People's Choice Award winner . The competition will commence and be followed by a reception. Then, everyone will return and winners will be announced!

2024 competition

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Final Competition will take place on Thursday, November 21, 2024 on Main Campus in Memorial Field House Room 2100 .

Register for the 2024 Competition

3MT® Competitor Toolkit

Contact Competition Coordinators Teri Green & Yasmeen Hamdah!

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 419.530.2633 (Option 2)

Questions About your Application?

Questions about your degree progress, other questions.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

An annual competition for University of Rochester doctoral students

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Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an academic competition that challenges doctoral students to describe their research to a global audience—within three minutes. Explore this page to learn more about the contest parameters, eligibility, and past winners.

2024 3MT Competition

Registration is closed..

2024 3MT Sub Heat Top 6: Elizabeth Plunk, Toxicology Michal Shaposhnikov, Pharmacology/Physiology Paige Nicklas,  Neuroscience/Neurobiology and Anatomy Danielle Daniels, Education Lananh Ho, Biomedical Engineering Eliya Tazreena Tashbib, Chemical Engineering

Contest overview

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. Visit the 3MT organization’s website for more details.

Eligible doctoral students at the University of Rochester can participate, and winners will receive travel funding prizes . The competition is brought to you by the University’s Graduate Education Office and  University Libraries.

Upcoming schedule

Registration is now closed. Review additional schedule details below.

• September 6, 2024: Slide submissions due to UGEPA: [email protected]
• September 11, 2024: Subheat will take place at 4 p.m. in the Hubbell Auditorium (141 Hutchinson)
• September 27, 2024: Final competition will take place at 4 p.m. (1-101 Dewey) during Meliora Weekend
• Beginning September 3, 2024: Two optional presentation training vdieos will be available on this site. ( Research and the Art of Storytelling and Public Speaking Tips and Tricks .) Transcriptions of videos available by contacting [email protected].
• September 17, 2024 at 2 pm: Zoom Q&A with Dr. William Trickey – 2019 3MT National Finalist, UK and Assistant Scientist, UR Laboratory for Laser Energetics

Eligibility

The competition is open to current Ph.D. and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have passed their qualifying exam or are in their third year of study or greater.

Rules and judging criteria

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. 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 spoken word.
• Presentations are to commence from the stage.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging criteria

Judges are drawn from diverse disciplines within the university and the broader Rochester community. Review the judging rubric for full details on the judging criteria. Judging is broken up into two major categories:

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, key results and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation – or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?
• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience’s attention?
• Did the speaker 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?

Participants have multiple chances to win.

• Top Two Finalists Per Sub-Heat: $100
• Winner: $750
• Runner-up: $500
• People’s Choice: $250

Registration is now closed

Dates and details for future registration windows will be shared on this website as available.

a great legacy

Past winners

Explore a list of past University of Rochester winners, including contest video recordings and image galleries where available.

Check out the list

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland. Ph.D. researchers have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. The idea behind it is to increase researchers’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills, capacities needed to effectively explain a research topic in three minutes and in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience .

Since its first launch by The University of Queensland in 2008, 3MT® has been held in over  600 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide .

The 3MT® competition organised at the EUI is open to the Ph.D. researchers of all four EUI disciplines who have completed the 1 st year of their studies and who have a clear outline and plan for their research.

The 3MT® competition will not be organised until further notice

How does it work.

• Prepare a presentation of minimum 2 and maximum 3 minutes of your research topic. Only 1 static slide can be used to support the presentation.
• Send a sample video of you speaking for 3 minutes to [email protected] .
• The presentations are held live at the EUI.
• They will be evaluated by a  jury according to an established set of criteria   and also by the audience (“people’s prize”).
• The presentations will be filmed.
• Certificates and prizes will be awarded to the top three winners.
• The videos of the top three winners will be published on the EUI website and widely distributed through the institute’s social media channels.

Why participate?

• To develop your ability to explain your work effectively to a non-specialized audience, a core skill when working in both academic and non-academic environments.
• To help you identify your strengths and weaknesses when communicating a subject as complex as your research, in a clear and concise manner.
• The video of your presentation can be added to your online profile and shared with people interested in your work.
• Last but not least, you might win a prize!

  Watch a 3MT® presentation example

The European Commission supports the EUI through the European Union budget. This website reflects only the views of the author(s), the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) is an international research and scholarly communication competition developed by The University of Queensland in Australia. The goal of the competition is to develop students’ academic, presentation, and professional communication skills. Doctoral students have three minutes – and a single PowerPoint slide - to present compelling and engaging talks on their dissertation topic and its significance. 3MT™ empowers students to consolidate their ideas and concisely explain their work to the public and scholars from other fields.

• Information
• Past Competitions

Training Opportunities

Eligibility.

• Rules and Judging Criteria

Empower Your Pitch is a doctoral communication competition that develops the research communication skills of participants, enabling them to deliver diverse pitches to diverse people. The competition empowers presenters to communicate the value of their research at any stage of development and across all disciplines – including STEMM, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences – in a maximum time frame of three minutes. Presenters may rely on assorted strategies to capture the audience’s attention, convey the essence of their research, and explain its relevance to their listeners. The competition will take place throughout March and April with training sessions to help develop your communication skills. It is hosted by the JHU PHuters Office and will run instead of the 3MT this year.

Unlock the power of communication to share the full potential of your ideas – click here to learn more and register!

More Information

A selection of videos of award-winning presentations from a variety of universities are available on the 3MT™ website .

For questions about the JHU competition, please contact Kate Bradford at [email protected] .

2021 3MT Competition

2020 3mt competition.

The JHM Professional Development and Career Office is hosted the 2021 Three Minute Thesis Competition on March 25. Ten Hopkins Doctoral students had three minutes – and a single, static PowerPoint slide - to present compelling and engaging talks on their dissertation topic.

2021 Winners

Congratulations to Chad Hicks: 2021 JHU Three Minute Thesis Champion!

• First Place: Chad Hicks , School of Medicine How Bookmarks Help Cells Pass Their Leukemia Test
• Second Place and People's Choice: Brooke Jarrett , Bloomberg School of Public Health In South Africa, What Interventions Can Improve Care For People With HIV?
• Third Place: Benjamin Zaepfel , School of Medicine Sandwiches out of Sand
• Alumni Choice: Yun-Fei Liu , Krieger School of Arts and Sciences The Brain Mechanism for Code Reading is Associated With Both Language and Logic

2021 Finalists

• Rebecca Chisholm , School of Education Early Childhood Educator Instructional Practices for English Learners
• Oscar Reyes Gaido , School of Medicine Illuminating the Future of Heart Failure Therapy
• Suraj Kannan , School of Medicine Growing a Heart in a Dish
• Monica Lee , Bloomberg School of Public Health Hibernating Legionella: Silent but Deadly
• Crystal Perez , Bloomberg School of Public Health Healthier Kids’ Meals and Less Tantrums?
• Utkarsh Sharma , Krieger School of Arts and Sciences Scaling Behavior of Neural Networks: Human Language and Job Displacement at the Dawn of Automation

The full recording of the competition can be viewed at the JHU Alumni Association Facebook Page. Individual videos of each finalist will be available in a few weeks.

Thank you to our 2021 3MT Final Competition Judges:

• Dr. Nancy Kass, Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education and Pheobe R. Berman Professor of Bioethics and Public Health at the JHSPH
• Dr. Denis Wirtz, Vice Provost for Research and Theophilus Halley Smoot Professor of Engineering Science in the WSE
• Dr. Mona Shattell, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor at the SON
• Dr. Gregg Semenza, 2019 Nobel Laureate and Professor at the SOM
• Dr. Judy Keen, JHU Alumni Association Council Member and Alumnus of KSAS, JHSPH, and SOM
• Eduardo Martinez-Montes, 2019 JHU 3MT Champion and PhD Candidate at the SOM

2019 3MT Competition

The JHM Professional Development and Career Office hosted the fourth annual Three Minute Thesis Competition April 17, 2019 in Mountcastle Auditorium located on the School of Medicine Campus. Thirty-two doctoral students competed in the preliminary heats and twelve finalists were chosen to present their 3MT talks in the final competition.

The 2019 judges had a diverse background of research and communication experience and represented the university’s top leadership, including:

Dr. Nancy Kass Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education and Pheobe R. Berman Professor of Bioethics and Public Health at JHSPH Dr. Denis Wirtz Vice Provost for Research and Theophilus Halley Smoot Professor of Engineering Science in the WSE Dr. Patricia M. Davidson Dean of the School of Nursing Dr. William Egginton Director of the Alexander Grass Humanities Institute and Decker Professor in the Humanities Dr. Allyson Handley President of the JHU Alumni Association Sarah Attreed 2017 JHU and Maryland State 3MT top finalist, PhD Candidate in JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health

Congratulations to all those students participating and the competition winners:

First Place: Eduardo Martinez-Montes, School of Medicine, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology The Lazy Librarian

Second Place: Katie Overbey, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Environmental Health and Engineering Application of Novel Laboratory Methods to Identify Infectious Norovirus in the Environment

Third Place & Alumni Choice: Benjamin Ackerman, Bloomberg School of Public Health Biostatistics Clinical Trials: How Do Their Results Translate to the Real World?

People’s Choice: Jarrett Venezia, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Why Do Good Macrophages Go Bad?

Tyler Ames, School of Education Measuring the Promise of Career Education Sarah Kim, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Biophysics Opening Doors into Cells Binu Koirala, School of Nursing The First Step in Preventing Deaths from Heart Failure in Nepal Claire Konieczny, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, German and Romance Languages and Literatures Emblems and Reading in the Renaissance Celia Litovsky, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Cognitive Science Why Do Some Stroke Patients Recover Better than Others? Pramuditha Perera, Whiting School of Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering Teaching Machines to Say "I'm not sure" Allen Scheie, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Physics Quasiparticles in Magnetic Crystals Derek VanDyke, Whiting School of Engineering, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Biasing the Immune System

2018 3MT Competition

The JHM Professional Development and Career Office hosted the third annual Three Minute Thesis Competition April 18, 2018 in Mountcastle Auditorium. Twenty-seven PhD Candidates competed in the preliminary heats and ten finalists were chosen to present their 3MT talks in the final competition.

The 2018 Judges had a broad background of research and communication experience and represented the university’s top leadership, including:

•   Ronald J. Daniels, President of Johns Hopkins University •   Dr. Nancy Kass, Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education •   Dr. Patricia M. Davidson, Dean, School of Nursing •   Dr. Roy Ziegelstein, Vice Dean for Education, School of Medicine •   Dr. Catherine Hueston, Associate Director of the Wharton Communications Program, UPenn •   Joseph Shin, IGM PhD Candidate and 2017 JHU & Maryland State 3MT Competition Champion

First Place and People’s Choice: Caroline Vissers, Department of Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, School of Medicine Notes on Brain Health

Second Place: Valerie Rennoll, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering Tunable Acoustic Transducers: Harnessing the Power of Sound

Third Place: Sarah Attreed, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health Building a Better Vaccine

Nikhil Anand, Department of Physics, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences New Methods in Particle Physics Sunjae Bae, Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health The Right Drug for the Right Patient Kenneth Feder, Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health Children in the U.S. Opioid Crisis Talia Henkle, Department of Pathology, Graduate Program in Immunology, School of Medicine Helping Mice Help Cancer Patients Joseph Rehfus, Department of Biology, Cellular, Molecular, and Development Biology and Biophysics Graduate Program, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences Force as a Probe for "Hidden" Enzyme Shapes Tamar Rodney, School of Nursing The Wound We Cannot See! Dominic Scalise, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering Things Besides Number

2018 State Competition

All three winners from the 2018 Hopkins 3MT Competition competed in the Maryland State Competition Wednesday, May 2 at the University of Maryland, Medical Center. Sarah Attreed placed second and Valerie Rennoll won People’s Choice in the Maryland State Competition.

2017 3MT Competition

The JHM Professional Development and Career Office hosted the second annual Three Minute Thesis Competition April 5, 2017 in the Turner Auditorium.

First Place: Joseph Shin, Institute of Genetic Medicine Scleroderma: An Opportunity for New Therapy and New Perspectives in Biology

Second Place: Kelli DePriest, Nursing The Power of Greenspace

Third Place and People’s Choice: Jarrett Smith, Molecular Biology and Genetics Oil and Water: Separating the Cell

Tim Al-Khindi, Neuroscience Finding the Right Partner: The Role of Semaphorins and Neuropilins in the Retina Jonathan C. Grima, Neuroscience Traffic Jams in Neurodegeneration Hyejeong Hong, Nursing Predicting TB Treatment-related Hearing Loss Anand Malpani, Computer Science Automated Virtual Coaching for Surgeons Emily A. Margolis, History of Science and Technology Space Tourism in Cold War America Julian B. Munoz, Physics and Astronomy A New Dark Matter Candidate Digvijay Singh, Biophysics Editing Life: Gene Editing Tools in Real-time Action

2017 State Competition

Winners from the 2017 Hopkins 3MT Competition competed in the Maryland State Competition Tuesday, May 9 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Joseph Shin placed first in the Maryland State Competition. Hyejeong Hong, who was a finalist from the School of Nursing, placed second.

2016 3MT Competition

The JHM Professional Development and Career Office sponsored the inaugural 3MT™ Competition April 20, 2016 ; congratulations to all participating students and competition winners:

First Place and People’s Choice: Alexandra Pucsek, Immunology Cancer Unmasked: How Inhibiting a Small Protein Could Boost Anti-Tumor Immunity (VIDEO)

Second Place: Amanda Edwards, Biomedical Engineering Tricking the Brain into Exceeding Its Abilities (VIDEO)

Third Place: Ken Estrellas, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Stem Cell Treatments to Restore Missing Muscle Protein (VIDEO)

The JHMI winners competed in the Maryland state-wide 3MT Competition May 5 against students from the University of Maryland-College Park, University of Maryland-Baltimore and University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Congratulations to JHMI students for placing in the state competition:

First Place in Maryland Competition: Ken Estrellas, Cellular and Molecular Medicine (Second from the left)

Third Place in Maryland Competition: Alexandra Pucsek, Immunology (Far left)

The PDCO offers multiple in-person training opportunities to teach PhD students how to professionally present their academic work. Participation in these sessions is not required for competition, but it is highly encouraged. In past years, students who participated in 3MT training opportunities were more likely to make it to the finals and place. Doctoral students interested in participating in 3MT can view all information, rules, and presentation tips in the JHU 3MT Student Handbook .

Students will learn all about the 3MT competition, including key dates, preliminary heat logistics, and filming tips. Students will learn how put together a winning 3MT talk. We will cover how to condense your dissertation into three minutes, choosing a visual that enhances your talk, and presentation tips for public speaking. Students will get the chance to work on their talks in small breakout rooms.

• Thursday February 11th, 3 - 4:30pm. Register on Handshake This session will be recorded and available to those who cannot attend live.

Students should come with a draft of their three-minute presentation and ready to present their talk. Past 3MT judges and communication experts will offer immediate feedback to students to help them further improve their talk. The session will be done in an open forum, where you will be able to listen to other students’ presentation and hear feedback from everyone presenting. Practice rounds will not be recorded.

• February 22, 3 - 4:30pm EST. Register on Handshake
• February 25, 10 - 11:30am EST. Register on Handshake

The PDCO also offers one-on-one sessions to practice your presentation for additional feedback. Please email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

All currently enrolled JHU doctoral students are eligible*. We encourage students from all disciplines to participate! Students who have not yet had their degree conferred are eligible to compete**. Past competitors may compete again.

* 2021 3MT Competition: All doctoral students who graduated in 2020 are eligible to compete due to the cancellation of the 2020 3MT Competition. Participants must present talks covering work that was done during their dissertation and cannot include work completed post-graduation.

** Eligibility rules for the Council of Graduate School's Three Minute Thesis competition may differ.

Prize Information

Prizes for the 2021 JHU 3MT Finals Competition are as follows:

• Winner: $1000
• Second Place: $500
• Third Place: $250
• People's Choice: $250
• Alumni Choice Award (Sponsored by the JHU Alumni Association): $250
• Remaining finalists will be awarded $100
• Students must present a talk on their dissertation work.
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through speech (timing commences from when the competitor starts speaking, not the start of the video).
• Filmed on the horizontal;
• Filmed on a plain background;
• Filmed from a static position;
• Filmed from one camera angle;
• A single static 16:9 slide is permitted in the presentation (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description). This can be visible continuously, or ‘cut to’ (as many times as you like) for a maximum of 1 minute. Alternatively, the slide may be submitted via email if not included in the video presentation.
• The 3-minute audio must be continuous – no sound edits or breaks.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment and animated backgrounds) are permitted within the recording.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted within the video recording.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Please note: competitors *will not* be judged on video/recording quality or editing capabilities (optional inclusions). Judging will focus on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience, and 3MT PowerPoint slide.

Judging Criteria

Presentations will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question 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? (for early-stage students: predicted impact/results)
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, significance, results/impact and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?
• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their work?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience’s attention?
• Did the speaker 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?

Preparation

The JHM Professional Development and Career Office (PDCO) will organize a number of events and training opportunities to ensure students are adequately prepared to participate in the JHMI competition and state-wide competition. Events are open to all students, regardless of their participation in 3MT in order to ensure broader inclusion in training opportunities that enhance research communication skills. Faculty and training directors are also invited to attend the information sessions.

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates

Feb. 1: Registration opens Feb. 15: 3MT Information Session Feb. 18: 3MT Information Session March 1: Communication Workshop March 7: Deadline to register for 3MT March 21: Critique Session March 22: Critique Session

April 5: Preliminary Competition April 6: Preliminary Competition April 12: Communications Workshop April 13: Judges’ Feedback will be collated and distributed to all participants April 15: Deadline for all finalists to submit finished slide for inclusion in Finals slide deck April 20: JHMI Finals (Competition, Reception and Awards Ceremony) April 22: Judges’ Feedback will be collated and distributed to all participants May 4: State-wide 3MT Competition at University of Maryland-Baltimore

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Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Workshop/Webinar

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a competition held annually at the college, university, regional, national and international levels. Only master’s students working on their thesis and Ph.D. students working on their own research may participate in this prestigious competition that includes a monetary award for the top winners. The goal of the competition is for the graduate student to effectively explain their current research and outcomes in three minutes, with only one PowerPoint slide, to a general (non-expert) audience.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

All master’s students working on their master’s thesis and their own research, as well as all Ph.D. students working on their own research, are invited to attend.

IMPORTANT: If you are a 2024 Hayes winner, please come and learn more about the 3MT®.

3MT Competition has Been Revised

The 3MT has been revised to accommodate students from colleges that hold their own internal 3MT® competition and those students from colleges that do not.

Workshop Description

This one-hour webinar will introduce the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition, the guidelines to follow, and deadlines. The workshop will also focus on how to prepare for the 3-minute presentation (students’ own narrative) and the single static PowerPoint slide.

Dr. Karin Jordan

Assistant Dean of Graduate Development and Engagement

Graduate School

Register for the workshop through Zoom