Three Minute Thesis® Competition

3MT Overview

Competitions will be held as four semi-final heats. Each heat will be capped at eight participants for a total of 32 participants. The top two participants from each semi-final heat will be invited to take part in the final round.

All participants must be available to participate in one of the semi-final heats and the final round (see dates below).

This year's prizes are sponsored by alum, Rene Paulson, founder of Elite Research LLC. Prizes are:

• $2,000 (1st place), $1,000 (2nd place), $500 (3rd place) and $250 (each remaining finalist)
• Two People's Choice Awards ($100) will be given, one each to a master's and doctoral student.

About 3MT

The Three Minute Thesis^® (3MT) was 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.

Three Minute Thesis^® Rules

• 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.

Accommodations can be made for students with disabilities. Contact Nathan Blackburn at blackburnn@ohio.edu

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

This year's prizes are sponsored by alum, Rene Paulson, founder of Elite Research LLC.

Prizes are:

• 1st place ($2,000)
• 2nd place ($1,000)
• 3rd place ($500)
• Each remaining finalist ($250)
• People's Choice Award - Master's student ($100)*
• People's Choice Award - Doctoral student ($100)*

*If this is not possible based on the demographics of the finalists, two prizes will still be given.

Registration Deadlines

Registration will open on January 17th, 2025. Visit this page to access the registration link then!

PowerPoint slides are to be submitted to Nathan Blackburn, via email at blackburnn@ohio.edu, after confirmation of registration. Please email Nathan for more information.

Format

Eligibility

Any doctoral candidate 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, February 11, 2025 OR Thursday, February 13, 2025) AND the final round (Wednesday, February 19, 2025).

Recorded Presentations

• 2024 3MT Finals Presentations
• 2020 Ohio University Three Minute Thesis® Competition winning presentations
• 2019 Three Minute Thesis® Competition winning presentations 
• 2018 Ohio University Three Minute Thesis® Competition winning presentations
• 2017 Ohio University Three Minute Thesis® Competition winning presentations

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

Prepare Your 3MT Slide