Ohio University

Ohio University Three Minute Thesis® Competition

Congratulations to the following
2021 OHIO University 3MT Winners

Award Name Title College  Program
1st Place Cassandra Thompson Pesticides: The Good, The Bad, The Frogs College of Arts and Sciences Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
2nd Place Marissa Dyck

Assessing population viability of Ohio’s recovering bobcats (Lynx rufus)

 College of Arts and Sciences

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
3rd Place Xianlong Zeng

Medical Risk Prediction Using Deep Learning

 Russ College of Engineering and Technology

Computer Science

2021 OHIO University 3MT Finalists

Name College  Program
Fumiko Hope Brinkmeier Patton College of Education Higher Education
Marissa Dyck College of Arts and Sciences

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Fazlollah Madani Sani Russ College of Engineering and Technology

Chemical Engineering
Cassandra Thompson College of Arts and Sciences Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Natallia Yeloshyna College of Fine Arts

Film Studies
Xianlong Zeng Russ College of Engineering and Technology

Computer Science

2021 OHIO University Three Minute Thesis® (3MT)

Overview

3MT - 2019 Winner - Michelle Michael

Founded by The University of Queensland in 2008.

Competitions are now held at over 600 institutions in 60 countries.

Competitors have three (3) minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance.

Competitors must consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.

Deadlines

Registration Deadline - Friday, March 5, 2021
Click here to register

Slide Submission Deadline - Friday, March 12, 2021, by 4 PM
Click here to upload your PowerPoint slide

Format

Semi-finals

  • Tuesday, March 16, 2021*
    7 P.M. 
    Stocker Center 103

    AND
     
  • Thursday, March 18, 2021*
    7 P.M. 
    Stocker Center 103

Finals

  • Wednesday, March 24, 2021*
    7 P.M. 
    Stocker Center 103

*COVID - 19 protocols will be in place. Only participants will be allowed in Stocker Center. Each registered participant will be given a specific time for arrival at Stocker Center and the host will escort the participant to the competition space. Following each presenter, the event space will be properly sanitized in preparation for the next participant. Event outcomes will be posted to this web page by the morning (9 AM) following each round.

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 Tuesday, March 16, 2021 OR Thursday, March 18, 2021) AND the final round (Wednesday, March 24, 2021).

Rules

3MT - 2nd Place Winner - Anne Sternberger
  • A single, static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animation, or ‘movement’ of any kind); the slide must be presented from the beginning of the oration.
  • No additional electronic media is permitted.
  • No additional props are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to three (3) minutes; competitors exceeding this time limit will be disqualified.
  • Presentations are spoken-word only.
  • 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:
    3MT - 3rd Place Winner - Proma Basu
    • 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)
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.