2022 Competition

Overview

Founded by The University of Queensland in 2008.

Competitions are now held at over 900 institutions in 80 countries.

Students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. 3MT is not an exercise in trivializing or ‘dumbing-down' research but challenges students to consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.

Finalists

Finalist	Academic Level	College	Program
Harman Aryal	Doctoral Student	Patton College of Education	Math Education
Mary-Magdalene Chumbow	Doctoral Student	Scripps College of Communication	Mass Communication/Media Arts & Studies
Medrine Nyambura	Master Student	Scripps College of Communication	Communication Media Arts
Ghadir Sindi	Doctoral Student	College of Arts and Sciences	Biological Sciences
Kushal Singla	Doctoral Student	Russ College of Engineering and Technology	Chemical Engineering
Abhijit Sukul	Doctoral Student	College of Arts and Sciences	Chemistry and Biochemistry
Megan Westervelt	Master Student	Scripps College of Communication	Communication Media Arts
Nicholas Whitticar	Doctoral Student	Graduate College	Translational Biomedical Sciences

Rules

3MT - 2nd Place Winner - Anne Sternberger

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).
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 (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.
The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

Comprehension & Content

Did the presentation:
- Provide an understanding of the background of the research question being addressed and its significance?
- Clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
- 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 presenter:
- Avoid scientific jargon?
- Explain the terminology?
- Provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of the presentation, or did he or she elaborate for too long on one aspect, or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement

Did the oration make the audience want to know more? Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize the research?
Did the presenter:
- Convey enthusiasm for the research?
- Capture and maintain the audience’s attention?
- 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?

Awards and Prizes

Cash prizes* awarded to:

1st place ($300)
2nd place ($200)
3rd place ($100)
People's Choice Award - Master's student ($100)
People's Choice Award - Doctoral student ($100)

Deadlines

Registration Deadline - Friday, November 19, 2021, by 5 PM
Want to register?

Slide Submission Deadline - Wednesday, November 24, 2021, by 11:59 PM
Want to submit your slide?

Format

Semi-finals

Monday, November 29, 2021 *
7 PM
Academic and Research Center (ARC) 106

AND
Tuesday, November 30, 2021 *
7 PM
Academic and Research Center (ARC) 106

Finals

Thursday, December 2, 2021 *
7 PM
Stocker Center 103

*COVID-19 protocols will be in place and participants/guests must wear a mask.

Eligibility

Any doctoral candidate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) enrolled at Ohio University that has been admitted to candidacy (e.g., passed comprehensive exams) and whose culminating project is a research-based dissertation.

Must be enrolled as a student during the semester in which the competition takes place
Cannot already have defended his or her dissertation

Any master's candidate enrolled at Ohio University that has completed significant work toward his or her culminating project

Must be enrolled as a student during the semester in which the competition takes place

All participants must be available to participate in one of the semi-final rounds (either Monday, November 29, 2021 OR Tuesday, November 30, 20211) AND the final round (Thursday, December 2, 2021).

3MT - 2019 People's Choice Award - Doctoral Student - Rebecca Keogh

Useful Resources

Videos of the 2020 Ohio University Three Minute Thesis® Competition winning presentations can be viewed on the Ohio University YouTube site. To view, click here.

Videos of the 2019 Ohio University Three Minute Thesis® Competition winning presentations can be viewed on the Ohio University YouTube site. To view, click here.

Videos of the 2018 Ohio University Three Minute Thesis® Competition winning presentations can be viewed on the Ohio University YouTube site. To view, click here.

Videos of the 2017 Ohio University Three Minute Thesis® Competition winning presentations can be viewed on the Ohio University YouTube site. To view, click here.

To help you prepare your slide, watch a short video prepared by Sean McGraw, the 2016 Ohio University Three Minute Thesis® Competition winner. To view, click here.