The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition which challenges graduate students to present a compelling oration on their research and its significance in three minutes in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. The 3MT is NOT an exercise in trivializing or ‘dumbing-down’ research but forces students to consolidate their ideas and crystallize their research discoveries. Check out YouTube for the 2023 competition. Visit the 3MT University of Queensland website to learn more.
The 2024 UA 3MT Competition Key Dates:
October 3: Information session (4:00 p.m., Zoom)
October 4: Information session (9:00 a.m., Zoom)
November 1: Deadline for departments to nominate students (NOMINATE YOUR STUDENTS)
- Nominations will include student details and a single PowerPoint slide in widescreen format.
- Departments can nominate two students including one alternate.
- Additional students will be included in the semi-finals as space allows.
November 7: 3MT semi-finals
- Semi-final rounds will be held at 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. in Rose G55. We will assign students to rounds shortly after the deadline. Schedule constraints will be taken into account.
November 20: 3MT finals will be held at 7 p.m. in the UA Digital Media Center.
Eligibility
Anyone who is currently registered and enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program will be eligible to participate in 3MT. Graduates are not eligible.
Rules from The University of Queensland 3MT Website:
- 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
At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.
Comprehension and 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
Engagement and 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
3-Minute Thesis Practice for Students
We recommend that students practice their 3MT presentation, if their computer has a webcam, by recording their presentation without using notes and playing it back. The Speaking Studio (https://cis.ua.edu/about/resources/speaking-studio/) is also a resource for receiving feedback on their presentation prior to the competition.
Winners of the 2024 3-Minute Thesis Competition
| Top Placements | Name | Department | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Place | Kyle Breault | Biological Sciences | Tiny Insects, Big Impact: DNA Analysis of Caddisfly Diets |
| Second Place | Paromita Sarker | Chemical and Biological Engineering | Making a Brain-Like Environment to Understand Drug Impact on Breast Cancer |
| Third Place | Henry Mauser | Biological Sciences | A Microbial Murder Mystery: How the Blood-Brain Barrier Fails During Meningitis |
| Fourth Place | Samantha Burke | Communication and Information Sciences | New Ways to Study Grief: Public Memorials in The United States |
| People’s Choice | Kyle Breault | Biological Sciences | Tiny Insects, Big Impact: DNA Analysis of Caddisfly Diets |
Questions
Contact Tierney Jenkins at tjenkins2@ua.edu.