ISU Graduate Students to Present Research at Upcoming Three Minute Thesis Competition

Winners will be announced at 9 PM in the Rotunda followed by an Awards Reception where libations, hors d’oeuvres, and conversation will be enjoyed. Admission is free. 

The 3MT Competition was founded by the University of Queensland in 2008 and is an academic competition that cultivates student’s presentation and science communication skills. The competition challenges them to describe their research within three minutes to a general audience. 3MT is an opportunity for participants to practice presenting their research, no matter if they are in the beginning stages or have recently defended their thesis or dissertation. It also allows students to network and collaborate with peers professionally and academically. 

Student presenters are challenged to present their graduate or doctoral research within three minutes or less in a manner that is easily understood and digestible. The competition rules limit the use of visual aids to a single, static PowerPoint slide without the aid of additional electronic media or visual props on stage. Any presenter exceeding three minutes is automatically disqualified. Those who progress from the preliminary rounds to the final competition will be vying for a $2,000 first place prize, $1,500 for second place, $500 for third place. The audience will also be able to vote for their favorite presenter for the People’s Choice Award of $500. All winners will proceed to the State 3MT rounds, competing against the University of Idaho and Boise State in Spring 2024.

Participants will be judged on the content and comprehension of their research and their ability to clearly communicate their thesis in an engaging way to a general audience. Judging criteria in two areas: engagement and communication followed by comprehension and content. Not only do presenters need to explain and defend the significance of their findings with enthusiasm but they must also avoid jargon, explain terminology, and provide ample background information and context for their findings.