Three-Minute Thesis

The Graduate School and University of Queensland Present

3MT®

 

OSU Final Round Competition:   February 5, 2025 (Journey Room, Memorial Union 104)

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The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition challenges graduate students to present their topic of research in just three minutes, using one static slide to a non-technical audience.

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.

The winner of the Oregon State University Graduate School 3MT competition will be eligible to compete in Denver at the Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS) Regional Competition

Eligibility

Students enrolled in an OSU doctoral program that is at least two-thirds research based are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions. Students must also plan to enroll in at least three credits in winter 2025 and graduate in winter 2025 or later. Graduates are not eligible. 

Rules

  • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations must be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps or songs) and must be live (e.g., no recordings).
  • In tandem with their oral presentation, participants develop and share a single, static PowerPoint slide during their three-minute talk. Slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any kind is not allowed in the graphic.
  • Participants may not include any additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) or props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment).
  • Presentations are all facilitated from the main stage, with the start time commencing when a presenter advances from the title slide to the presentation slide.
  • This is an in-person event taking place at the Corvallis campus. Participants must be able to present in person during the preliminary competition January 22 and, if selected, the final competition on February 5.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Registration

Applications will be accepted via Qualtrics through December 8. To apply, you will need to include the title of your presentation and a 300-word abstract. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in the preliminary round of competition.

Submit your application


Schedule

Wednesday, October 16
2-2:45 p.m.
Paddle Tail
(6420 Valley Library)

Information session. Learn more about 3MT and find out about resources to help you prepare for the event! View the overview Powerpoint.

Wednesday, December 8

Application submission due. Submit your title and 300-word abstract via Qualtrics.

Wednesday, January 15
1-2 p.m.
Paddle Tail
(6420 Valley Library)

Group coaching session (optional)

Wednesday, January 22
2-4 p.m.
Paddle Tail
(6420 Valley Library)

First round competition
Applicants will compete in front of a panel of judges. Top winners will advance to the next round which takes place Wednesday, February 5. Sign ups will be sent via email early January.

Wednesday, February 5
4-5:30 p.m.
Journey Room
(Memorial Union-104)

Final competition
First place winner is invited to compete at WAGS in Denver.

Wednesday, March 17-18
Denver

WAGS competition


 

Judging Criteria

3MT® Rubric

At every level of the competition, each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Please note that each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.

Comprehension and content

  • Did the presentation provide clear background and significance to the research question?
  • Did the presentation provide clear positionality of the presenter to the research and research approach?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research?

Engagement and communication

  • Was the oration delivered clearly, and the language appropriate for a non-specialist audience?
  • Was the PowerPoint slide well-defined and enhance the presentation?
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research and capture and maintain the audience's attention?

 

Resources

3MT competitor guide

Watch 3MT

View the overview Powerpoint.

 

Prizes

Winners of the Oregon State Graduate School 3MT competition will receive cash prizes.

First place* = $500
Second place = $250
People's choice = $150
*The first-place winner will also be eligible to compete in Denver at the WAGS (Western Association of Graduate Schools) Regional competition and prize will include a travel and lodging allowance.

 

Judges

Andy Dong, Ph.D.
School Head and Professor,
Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering College of Engineering

Dr. Francisco J. Guerrero
Courtesy Faculty, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management
College of Forestry
Prior OSU 3MT winner

Julie Risien, Ph.D.
Director, Transdisciplinary Research
Division of Research and Innovation

Elizabeth Simmons, J.D.
Director of External Relations
Career Development Center