Introduction
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an internationally recognized research communication competition that challenges Ph.D. students to present a compelling oration on their research project and its significance in just 180 seconds, in language accessible to a non-specialist audience. UVM’s first 3MT is a celebration of the discoveries made by our Ph.D. students and will allow the broader community to learn about ongoing research at UVM. The competition assists Ph.D. students with fostering effective presentation and research communication skills: it asks Ph.D. researchers to consolidate their ideas, crystallize their research discoveries, and capture the imagination of their audience. Competitors will be judged on comprehension, content, engagement, and communication.
History: Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) was developed by The University of Queensland in 2008 and is now held in more than 900 universities in 85 countries around the world.
Eligibility: All UVM Ph.D. students who have passed their candidacy examination by the date of the competition are eligible to participate in the 3MT competition.
Rules: Present research in non-technical language to a general audience with only one static visual slide to accompany the speech.
To register for the competition and submit your presentation slide, please complete this form.
Hosted by the Graduate College as part of UVM Research Week
Prizes: All contestants gain invaluable experience.
1st prize: $750
2nd prize: $500
People’s Choice Award: $250
Workshops to Help You Prepare
The Graduate College will host workshops to help students prepare for the competition. Attendance is strongly encouraged but not required for contestants.
Register here for either or both workshops.
Creating Your 3MT Presentation Pitch
March 19 | 4-6pm | Waterman 338 / Memorial Lounge
An interactive workshop on how to tailor your personal “thesis statement” and define the “so what?” of your research. The goal is to rid your presentation of jargon and leave you with an interesting story relevant to any field.
Creating Focus, Flow, and Audience Connection
March 27 | 5:00-6:30pm | Innovation E102
This workshop offers tips and opportunity to practice how to feel comfortable and confident using the presentation space as you connect with your audience. We'll look at the interplay between body language, your script, and your audience awareness, offering a supportive and productive experience.