Three Minute Thesis

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia for research students. 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

The 2025 Three-Minute Thesis Competition will take place on April 8, 9, and 10 at the Claire T. Carney Library.

The details are as follows:

Undergraduate preliminary round

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 2:30pm–4:30pm
Robert F. Stoico/FirstFed Charitable Foundation Grand Reading Room

Graduate preliminary round

Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 2:30pm–4:30pm
Robert F. Stoico/FirstFed Charitable Foundation Grand Reading Room

Finale

Thursday, April 10, 2025, 2:30 PM–4:30 PM
Robert F. Stoico/FirstFed Charitable Foundation Grand Reading Room

***The deadline for undergraduate students to register is Friday, March 28, by 5 pm; and submit your slide by 5 pm, Friday, April 4, via e-mail to our@umassd.edu

***Registration form for graduate students - due Monday, March 31, 2025 by 5 pm via e-mail to apgradstudies@umassd.edu

Participate in the Office of Undergraduate Research's Three Minute Thesis competition

  • 1st prize: $1,000
  • 2nd prize: $500
  • 3rd prize: $250
  • "People's Choice Award": $250

Rules

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are allowed. 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 either movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging

At every level of the competition each competitor will be judged on several criteria. Judges use a standard 3MT Judging Rubric. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience. 

More information for Undergraduate Participants

More information for Graduate Participants

OUR Work Blog
Three Minute Thesis