Three Minute Thesis

Three Minute Thesis Logo

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition celebrates the exciting research being performed by graduate students and cultivates their academic, presentation and research communication skills by challenging them to present their research to a non-specialist audience in three minutes (180 seconds!) or less using only one PowerPoint slide. Developed by the University of Queensland (UQ) in 2008, the 3MT® Competition is currently held at 900 colleges and universities across more than 85 countries .

The Graduate School will host ÂÌñÉç's 6th annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition during Research Days on May 1st, 2025. 

Prizes:

  • 1st Place: $500.00
  • 2nd Place: $400.00
  • 3rd Place: $300.00
  • People’s Choice: $150.00 (selected via audience vote at the conclusion of the event)

Eligibility Rules:

  • Currently enrolled course-complete (CC) master’s and doctoral students who have been admitted to candidacy (ABD) from all disciplines are eligible to compete.
  • Students should be in the final stages of their graduate career so that they have sound conclusions and impacts from their research.
  • Students must be in good academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or higher).
  • All research presented must be associated with ÂÌñÉç.
  • Alumni and previous winners are not eligible to participate. Past participants are welcome to participate again. 

How to participate in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition:

  • Step #1 - Discuss your interest in participating in the 3MT Competition with your faculty adviser. Obtain their approval to participate and present your research.
  • Step #2 - Attend a (not required). 
  • Step #3 - Submit the by March 10th. [*Note: When selecting your presentation title, please try to avoid technical jargon and choose a title that is short, catchy and true to your research.]
  • Step #4 - One-on-one prep sessions starting in mid-March.
  • Step #5 - Final title and PowerPoint slide due in late-April. 

Presentation Rules:

  • 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 will be disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter begins speaking.
  • The decision of the judging panel is final. 

Judging Criteria:

The goal is for the presenter to successfully engage a non-specialist audience and effectively convey the excitement and innovation of their research. Presentations will be evaluated by a diverse judging panel focusing on two core competencies:

Content and Comprehension 

  • Did the presentation help the audience understand the research?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research? 

Communication and Engagement

  • Was the presentation clearly delivered using language appropriate for a non-specialist audience?
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research and did they capture and maintain the audience's attention?

Watch our Spring 2023 3MT Competition online . 

Watch winning 3MT presentations from around the world online . 

Questions?

Please contact Ellen Tilden (etilden@binghamton.edu), Associate Director for Academic & Graduate Student Affairs, with any questions or concerns you may have regarding the 3MT Competition or your eligibility to participate.