3mt presentation example

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Tips for a successful 3MT presentation

Being successful in the 3MT involves much more than summarizing your research in three minutes. You need to be able to connect with your audience: explain your work in a way non-experts can understand and in a way that makes them interested in hearing what you have to say.

Your talk is the focal point of your presentation. Most of your preparation time should be spent on crafting your talk than on creating your slide.

Prepare your talk

Although your talk is only three minutes, it will take time to craft a concise presentation of your graduate research in a way that can be understood by and is engaging for a non-expert audience. Below are suggestions to help you create a successful 3MT presentation.

Summarize your work verbally

You'll want to prepare your talk in writing, but you might want to start by expressing your thoughts verbally and using an audio or video recordor to capture what you say.

Write for your audience

• Your presentation needs to be understandable and engaging for people who are not experts in your field of study.
• Avoid jargon and academic language.
• Explain concepts and people important to your research - you may know all about Professor Smith’s theories but your audience may not.
• Highlight the outcomes of your research, and the desired outcome.
• Focus on the big picture, not the details that you typically share in a presentation with experts and peers in your field.
• Imagine that you are explaining your research to a close family member or friend. Explain your work in a way that they could understand what you do and why it is important.
• However, also make sure you do not simplify the explanation of your work so much that it becomes trivial.
• Convey your excitement and enthusiasm for your subject.

Tell a story

• You may like to present your 3MT as a narrative, with a beginning, middle, and end.
• It’s not easy to condense your research into three minutes, so you may find it easier to break your presentation down into smaller sections.
• Try writing an opener to catch the attention of the audience, then highlight your different points, and finally, have a summary to restate the importance of your work.

Introduction

• You are not required to introduce yourself in your talk, and it is recommended that you do not introduce yourself because this will count towards your three minute time limit. Your name, degree program, and presentation title will be announced before you give your presentation.

Have a clear outcome in mind

• Know what you want your audience to take away from your presentation.
• Try to leave the audience with an understanding of what you’re doing, why it is important, and what you hope to achieve.

What not to do

• Do not write your presentation like an academic paper.
• Try to use shorter words, shorter sentences, and shorter paragraphs.
• You can use humor, but be careful not to devalue your presentation.

Create your slide

Your video should include a single, static slide. Transitions, movement, animations, and sound are not permitted.

Tips for a successful slide

• Your talk, not the slide, is the most critical part of the presentation
• Less is more: Too much t ext and complicated graphics can distract your audience – you don’t want them to read your slide instead of listening to your talk
• Do not rely on your slide to convey your message: The slide should simply complement your oration. If the slide were not displayed, the audience should should still understand and be engaged by your talk
• Work your message: Think about how your slide might be able to assist with the format and delivery of your presentation – is there a metaphor that helps explain your research?
• An engaging visual presentation can make or break any oration, so make sure your slide is legible, clear, and concise
• Title and introduction: You may include your presentation title on your slide, but it is not required . Your name, degree program, and presentation title will be announced before your video is played. Therefore, you also should not spend time introducing yourself in your presentation because it will count toward your time limit.

Practice, seek feedback, revise

• Proof your 3MT presentation by reading it aloud, or video record yourself, review the recording, and find ways to improve.
• Practice in front of different audiences--colleagues, grad students in other disciplines, family, friends--and ask for feedack
• Ask your audience if your presentation clearly highlights what your research is about and why it is important. Can they explain to another person what you do and why it's important?

Use the One Button Plus Studio

Located in the Sunderland Foundation Innovation Lab on the first floor of Hale Library, this small studio room features studio lighting, cameras, microphones, a green screen, and recording equipment that operates through minimal effort. It’s ideal for recording presentations, interviews, and podcasts.

How can the studio help me prepare for the 3MT?

• Easily capture a high quality video recording of your presentation to review or share with others to review.
• You might have different ideas for explaining your research. Use the One Button Plus Studio to capture different versions of your presentation. Then review or share with others to help you select the best version of your presentation.

Reserve the One Button Plus Studio To use the studio, users plug in a USB flash drive or portable hard drive and touch the touchscreen interface to activate the studio’s lighting, camera and confidence monitor. The user can then adjust lighting, change the background or simply start recording.

Make a reservation!

Additional resources

• View videos of K-State's previous 3MT® winners and videos of 3MT® winners from around the world for examples of successful 3MT® presentations.
• Your Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Presentation for Presenting on What You Do as a Graduate Student and How it Matters by Brad Rickelman, Meridian Technology Center for Business Development (video presentation)
• Making the Most of Your Three Minutes (pdf) by Simon Clews, University of Melbourne
• The Up-Goer Five Text Editor - Can you explain your thesis using only the 1,000 most commonly used words? Give it a try with this text editor. While we do not recommend that you use this text editor to prepare your entire 3MT® presentation, it can help you identify terms and concepts that may not be well known outside of your field and will require some explanation if used in your presentation. This tool might be especially helpful with developing a presentation title.
• Thesis Gold by Paul Geiger
• Communicating Science: An Introductory Communication Guide for Conveying Scientific Information to Academic and Public Audiences
• The David Attenborough Style of Scientific Presentation (pdf) - This document is designed for preparing a presentation longer than three minutes, but many of the principles are applicable to a three-minute presentation.
• Make an appointment with the Writing Center to receive feedback on how to strengthen your three-minute oration.

Information sessions

Sessions were held in the fall semester to get students acquainted with the 3MT and to share guidance on how to prepare a successful 3MT presentation.

Missed the sessions? Watch a recording View slides from the session (pdf)

• Updated: 1/15/24

• May 9, 2023
• 11 min read

How to deliver an award-winning 3MT presentation

Picture this.

You’re a PhD student, who’s spent countless hours researching and analysing data.

You’ve finally worked up the courage to participate in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition, and after weeks of writing your script , designing your slide , and giving yourself pep-talks in the mirror, it's time to take to the stage and share your 3MT presentation with the world. 💪

But, as the timer begins to count down, you panic.

You’re rushing through your script, fumbling nervously with your hands, and stumbling over words like they’re in a foreign language…

Sound familiar? If so, don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone.

Public speaking can be a daunting experience for even the most seasoned professionals. And it only becomes more challenging when you have just three minutes to do it. 😅

The good news is, there are lots of public speaking tools that you can use to help bring your 3MT presentation to life. And today, we’re going to show you how!

Welcome to the final instalment of our three-part 3MT series, where we focus on the last piece of our 3MT puzzle: the delivery.

In this blog post, we’ll be covering some tips on how to engage your audience using the power of your voice, face, and body. We’ll also break down some examples that we love from award-winning 3MTs from all over the Australia (and the world)!

You may only have three minutes, but here's how to make every second count. ⏰

Practice! Know your script inside out. 🗣️

In your PhD, you might’ve had the opportunity to present your research at seminars , meetings, or conferences in the form of posters and oral presentations . Maybe by now you can ace these presentations with little to no rehearsing, since you can rely on your slides and data to tell a story for you. 👩‍💻

But in the 3MT, the only thing that you can rely on to tell your story is you. Which is why it’s so important for you to commit your script to memory.

It’s practically impossible to focus on how to deliver your 3MT, if all your attention is fixed on remembering what your next line is supposed to be in the first place. So, our first tip is simple: practice.

Know your script like the back of your hand, so that when you’re on stage, you can devote all that energy into your delivery, rather than into racking your brains to recall what comes next! If memorisation is something you struggle with, we’ve previously spoken about several different memorisation techniques that can help you learn scripts for public speaking events like the 3MT, such as repetition, practicing out loud, and physically writing your script down . 📝

Once you’re confident that you can recite your script in your sleep (and, let’s be honest… sleeping is how us researchers prefer to spend our leisure time 😉), you can start to think about how to deliver it in a way that really makes your presentation shine.

After all, the way you say something is just as important as what you say.

Even if you have the most ground-breaking research and a perfectly crafted script, if your vocal delivery is lacking, your audience might have tuned out before they can take any of it in.

So, to avoid your audience’s eyes glazing over, we’re going to discuss what I like to call the 5 P’s of vocal delivery :

Let’s start with how quickly, or slowly, you should speak – in other words, your pace.

1. Vary your pace 💬

Think back to the last Hollywood blockbuster you watched (maybe it was Ticket to Paradise 😉). Chances are, it had some slow-paced scenes to help expand the plot or build suspense, and some fast-paced scenes to keep things exciting. Together, this combination of slow and fast-paced scenes keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. 🎬

But… what do Hollywood films and the 3MT have in common you might ask?

They both tell stories. And like their cinematic counterparts, changing the pace of your voice throughout your 3MT is one way to keep the audience hooked.

Ideally, to avoid sounding monotone, you should speed up and slow down how fast you talk throughout your 3-minute presentation. To show you what this might look like, I did what researchers do best.

I made some fancy graphs. 😉

You can speed up your pace when you want to evoke excitement , for example, when talking about interesting research findings. Then, you can slow your pace right down when you want to emphasise a point , like some concerning statistics or what your findings mean for the future.

A graph of your 3MT might not look exactly the same as the ones above, but no matter what the overall profile looks like, it should have highs and lows, peaks and dips, to bring about a crescendo of a story!

2. Pause for impact ⏸️

I have, and it can be overwhelming.

It makes us feel overloaded with information, and we walk away not really knowing what to take away from the presentation. 😕

Luckily, there’s a simple way to avoid this, and it involves one single thing:

Aside from adding some ✨drama✨, including pauses during your 3MT provides the audience with some breathing room and gives them time to take in the information. That is, as long as you don’t pause for so long that it becomes an awkward silence. 😂

Generally speaking, a pause of 1.5–3 seconds is enough time for the audience to absorb the information, before you move onto the next part of your talk.

Pauses are very effective when placed after a key idea or concept, to let the gravity of what was said really sink in. Alternatively, they can also be extremely impactful when placed before a key idea ; a pause to command attention and imply that what you are about to say is really important.

The impact of pausing is demonstrated really well in this 3MT from 2016 Winner, Joshua Chu-Tan. Go over to 1:01 in their 3MT below, paying attention to the pause after mentioning the devastating side effects of macular degeneration.

As you can see, by including this short period of silence, we can fully comprehend the weight of what is being said, making it much more impactful.

If you’re unsure where pause in your own 3MT, take a look at your script and identify which points you want to emphasise. Then, make sure to include purposeful pauses before or after those sentences to really drive the impact home.

3. Voice projection 📣

With all this being said, pauses won’t matter much if the audience can’t hear what you’re saying in the first place, or conversely, are too busy cringing at your shouting to listen.

Voice projection is another really important component of the vocal delivery for your 3MT.

That is, how loudly or softly you speak .

In many of the best 3MTs, there are sections where the speaker talks relatively softly. Eventually, they build their way to a climax where voice projection is the loudest, usually around the same time that the pace is the fastest. Then, their voice gets quieter again once the pace slows down, when the speaker wants to make the most impact. 🤫

Let’s take a look at an example. At the 1:15 mark below of 2011 3MT Winner, Matthew Thompson, and pay attention to the projection of their voice when they say “They matched a print to the wrong person,” compared to “Mayfield was innocent.”

So, for your 3MT, consider raising your voice just that little bit louder as your pace/excitement increases, and quieten your voice for impact when your pace is slowest to help draw the audience in.

4. Vary your pitch 🎤

It’s another super important aspect of public speaking, and can definitely make or break a presentation. But what do I mean when I say pitch? I’m talking about inflection – how high or low the tone of your voice goes when you speak. (If you’re a music fan, think: do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do 🎶 ).

One common mistake in public speaking is the absence of inflection (or in other words, maintaining the same pitch throughout the entire talk). This is usually what makes presentations feel monotonous, robotic, and well on the way to putting the audience to sleep. 😴

If I were to graph it, it would look something like the one on the left:

Not very exciting, is it?

So how do you avoid this? By now, I might sound like a broken record when I say that variation is key! But by raising and lowering the pitch of your voice, you’ll sound a lot less like a robot, and a lot more like an lively, conversational human being.

To help you with this concept, let’s go through an exercise. Think about your vocal inflection when you ask the question:

You’ll notice that your pitch ends on an upward inflection as you ask this question, and this will be the same for most questions you pose. On the other hand, try saying this sentence out loud:

In this example, you might observe that your pitch has a natural tendency to inflect down. Generally, having a downward inflection at the end of a sentence makes things sound more authoritative and confident, which can be useful for your 3MT to ensure you sound convincing and knowledgeable.

So, by varying your pitch and ending sentences on a downward inflection, you’re one step closer to nailing the vocal delivery of your 3MT.

5. Passion ❤️‍🔥

And finally, to the last of the 5 P’s, but one of the most important: Passion.

Because emotional monotony can kill a presentation just as easily as vocal monotony. 🪦

In order for the audience to really connect with the presentation, they need to come along on an emotional rollercoaster. They need to feel the highs and lows of your research.

And one of the best ways to do this is to create emotional contrast in your voice . How?

Think about your script, and pinpoint sections where there might be negative emotions involved. For example, jarring statistics in your research area, or potential risks if nothing is done about the problem you are trying to address. In these instances, don’t be afraid to show emotion. When conveying these negative emotions, you can even enhance them by including a downward inflection of your vocal pitch.

On the flip side, when you’re talking about the impact of your research and the great outcomes it may lead to, make your voice match the excitement and hope in your presentation.

The more emotional contrast you can create, the more compelling and memorable your 3MT presentation will be.

Creating emotion in your voice goes hand in hand with creating emotion in your face. And with that, let’s move on from vocal delivery to the next very important aspect: your face!

A typical 3MT script sits at around 450 words, but we can communicate so much without uttering a single one.

Have you ever seen someone smiling or laughing, and suddenly felt compelled to do the same? 😂 That’s because emotions are contagious . And, thankfully, we can use this to our advantage in public speaking, where facial expressions become a powerful tool to communicate with the audience.

1. Facial expressions 😜

In the 3MT, facial expressions are super effective for tapping into the audience’s sense of empathy, encouraging them to feel what you feel. Take a look at each of the following facial expressions, all taken from presentations from past 3MT winners and finalists.

If you look at one of their faces long enough, you might start to feel an emotional response to the facial expression you’re seeing; perhaps start to mirror that emotion yourself. That’s because there’s thought to be an actual biological response when humans observe emotion. Pretty cool right?! 😱

But how do you use these facial expressions to your advantage in your 3MT presentation?

Well, start by reflecting on your script, taking note of which sections trigger positive or negative emotions. For example, if there are certain statistics or gaps in knowledge that are concerning to you, don’t be afraid to furrow your brow or downturn your mouth slightly.

On the other hand, do you mention any exciting findings, or make any lighthearted jokes? In these cases, feel free to smile and show hope in your facial features to reflect this!

Just make sure that the emotions you display match the words you are saying. For example, you wouldn’t say, “Millions of animals die each year due to deforestation,” with a happy, smiling face, would you? 😅 As you can imagine, this incongruence risks making you appear unauthentic or untrustworthy.

So, to sum it up, be authentic. If your facial expression feels forced, it probably looks that way too.

2. Eye contact 👀

They say that eyes are the windows to the soul, so it’s no surprise that eye contact is a major part of public speaking.

Eye contact helps establish a connection with the audience, and can also help you convey confidence and credibility. As tempting as it might seem, try to avoid staring at your slide for the entire three minutes, as this will disconnect you from the audience. Keep your eyes on the people in front of you, and as a general rule of thumb, aim to look at someone different each time you begin a new sentence.

In the world of public speaking, one thing can speak louder than words: body language.

Body language comes in many forms, but today, we’re going to discuss two types that are relevant for the 3MT: hand gestures and using the space around you.

1. Hand gestures 👋

Hand gestures are an important element of body language in the 3MT competition. They can help emphasise key points, engage the audience, and convey enthusiasm for your research. Let’s go through a few examples to show you how!

One very common hand gesture in public speaking is when the hands are open and placed palms up. This is a good hand gesture to use to come across as friendly and conversational.

A similar gesture is when the hands are open, but instead the palms are facing downwards, which helps the speaker appear friendly, confident, and knowledgeable.

This hand gesture, where the the fingers on each hand are pressed together, is commonly referred to as the triangle or the Angela Merkel gesture, and is commonly used to appear authoritative and knowledgeable.

If you refer to your slide at any point in your 3MT presentation, don’t be afraid to point to your slide to help keep the audience engaged and shift their attention where you want it.

Finally, it can also be effective to ‘act out’ gestures with your hands to help make the presentation more dynamic. For example, acting out verbs like ‘throw,’ or counting with your fingers.

So, hopefully we’ve given you some ‘hand-y’ tips for how to effectively use hand gestures to make your presentation more interesting. But… what about the rest of your body?

That’s where our final tip comes in.

2. Using the Space 🪐

Public speaking can be a daunting experience, and you might be tempted to hide behind the lectern to make it all feel a little less… intimidating. 🫣

But you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you did.

At best, it would risk your presentation being boring, and at worst, it could even give the impression that you’re anxious or unconfident. And perhaps you are… But you don’t have to show it. Fake it ‘til you make it, right? 😉

Using the space around you can be a great way to engage the audience in a more dynamic way and create the impression of confidence. So don't be afraid to walk around the stage ! By moving around, you can engage different members of the audience and keep their attention focused on you.

In the below example, you can see how simply moving across the stage at a leisurely pace, then stopping in the centre, makes for a more dynamic and captivating presentation.

A good way to practice this is to deliver your 3MT in front the mirror, or in front of loved ones, so you can get used to how these movements feel and ensure they look natural. Either way, be purposeful and intentional in your movements.

The takeaway 🥡

And there we have it, folks! That brings us to the end of not only this blog post, but our entire 3MT series. To recap our tips for delivering a fabulous 3MT presentation:

Practice: Know your script inside out

Remember the 5 P’s of vocal delivery (Pace, Pauses, Projection, Pitch and Passion)

Communicate with your facial expression and eyes, and

Master your body language.

We hope that this 3MT blog series has given you some valuable tips to help you write your own captivating script , design an impactful slide , and ace your delivery. On behalf of all of us at AYS, we wish you all the best on your 3MT journey! 🤞

Here’s to making science accessible, 3 minutes at a time. ✨

If you want to take your science communication skills to the next level, consider attending an in-person workshop or one of our online courses . Whether you're a seasoned presenter or just starting out, why not take the next step on your science communication journey today?

Contact us to find out more. 🤩

Cintya Dharmayanti

Dr. Tullio Rossi

Related Posts

How to write a winning 3MT script

5 acting lessons to level-up your public speaking skills

How to design an impactful 3MT slide (with examples!)

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• Three Minute Thesis

Preparing your 3MT presentation

• Back to previous menu
• Eligibility, Rules and Judging Criteria
• Sussex 3MT 2023
• Sussex 3MT 2022
• Sussex 3MT 2020
• Sussex 3MT 2019
• Sussex 3MT 2018
• Sussex 3MT 2016

NOTE: Familiarise yourself with the 3MT rules and judging criteria  before starting your preparation. This guidance is taken from the University of Queensland's  official 3MT competitor resources .

Even the world’s best public speakers prepare before important presentations. To assist you with your preparations, please find a few suggestions below that will help you in writing your presentation, creating your slide and practising your verbal presentation.

Drafting your 3MT

Write for your audience The judges will look for evidence that you can explain your research to a non-specialist audience. You may like to:

• avoid jargon and academic language
• explain concepts and people important to your research - you may know all about Professor Smith’s theories but your audience may not
• highlight the outcomes of your research, and the desired outcome
• imagine that you are explaining your research to a close friend or fellow student from another field
• convey your excitement and enthusiasm for your subject

Tell a story

• You may like to present your 3MT as a narrative, with a beginning, middle and end.
• It’s not easy to condense your research into three minutes, so you may find it easier to break your presentation down into smaller sections.
• Try writing an opener to catch the attention of the audience, then highlight your different points, and finally have a summary to restate the importance of your work.

Have a clear outcome in mind

• Know what you want your audience to take away from your presentation.
• Try to leave the audience with an understanding of what you’re doing, why it is important, and what you hope to achieve.
• Proof your 3MT presentation by reading it aloud, firstly to yourself and then to an audience of friends and family.
• Ask for feedback.
• Ask your audience if your presentation clearly highlights what your research is  about and why it is important.

Creating your 3MT slide

Before you start work on your slide, you should take the following rules into account:

• one single static PowerPoint slide is permitted;
• no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are permitted;
• your slide is to be presented from the beginning of your oration; and
• no additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.

Suggestions

You may like to consider some of the following suggestions:

• Less is more : text and complicated graphics can distract your audience – you don’t want them to read your slide instead of listening to your 3MT. 
• Personal touches : personal touches can allow your audience to understand the impact of your research.
• Creativity drives interest : do not rely on your slide to convey your message – it should simply complement your oration.
• Work your message : think about how your slide might be able to assist with the format and delivery of your presentation – is there a metaphor that helps explain your research?
• An engaging visual presentation can make or break any oration, so make sure your slide is  legible, clear and concise .

Practising your 3MT presentation

Practice, practice, practice Feeling nervous before you present is natural, and sometimes a little nervousness can even be beneficial to your overall speech. Nonetheless, it is important to practice so you can present with confidence and clarity. Practicing will also help you gauge the timing of your 3MT so that you keep within the time limit.

Vocal range

• Speak clearly and use variety in your voice (fast/slow, loud/soft).
• Do not rush - find your rhythm.
• Remember to pause at key points as it gives the audience time to think about what you are saying.

Body language

• Stand straight and confidently.
• Hold your head up and make eye contact.
• Never turn your back to the audience.
• Practise how you will use your hands and move around the stage. It is okay to move around energetically if that is your personality, however it is also appropriate for a 3MT presentation to be delivered from a single spot on stage.
• Do not make the common mistakes of rolling back and forth on your heels, pacing for no reason or playing with your hair as these habits are distracting for the audience.

Record yourself

• Record and listen to your presentation to hear where you pause, speak too quickly or get it just right.
• Then work on your weaknesses and exploit your strengths.

Look to the stars!

• Watch your role models such as academics, politicians and journalists, and break down their strengths and weaknesses.
• Analyse how they engage with their audience.
• Visit  the Queensland 3MT website , the Vitae 3MT webpages or search YouTube to view presentations from previous 3MT finalists.
• While there is no dress code, if you are unsure of how to dress you may like to dress for a job interview or an important meeting. It is important that you feel comfortable so you can focus on your presentation.
• If you are presenting on a stage that has a wooden floor, be aware of the noise your footwear might make.
• Do not wear a costume of any kind as this is against the rules (as is the use of props).

Further resources

There are many resources available online for further help. Useful ones might include:

Presenting your research effectively and with confidence - By previous 3MT finalists (Taylor & Francis resource)

How a competition changed my academic life - By Jamie Khoo, 2018 UK People's Choice winner

Is it worth doing the three minute thesis?  - By Mary Woessner, Victoria University

How to win the 3 minute thesis  - By Dr Inger Mewburn (aka @thesiswhisperer)

Making the most of your 3 minutes  - Simon Clews, University of Melbourne

Talk nerdy to me  - Melissa Marshall's TED talk

Vitae's 3MT webpages

These guidance pages are part of the University of Queensland's official 3MT competitor resources

E : [email protected]

Copyright © 2024, University of Sussex

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22 The 3 Minute Thesis

Read time: 2 minutes

This chapter will provide an overview of the 3 Minute Thesis oral presentation format.

Sections in this chapter

What is it.

• 3MT examples

The three-minute thesis (3MT) is a new format of research presentation that builds on the classic “elevator pitch”. The challenge in this type of presentation is to explain your research to an intelligent non-specialist audience in under 3 minutes with limited visual aids. Often there are specific rules for the visual aid: a single 4:3 slide, no animations or video, and no props.

For a successful 3MT talk, you need to follow completely different rules from normal scientific presentations. You can skip common things like introducing yourself, thanking all your lab mates and colleagues, or funding. You typically don’t show data unless it is presented in a very simple figure.

Because of the challenge involved with presenting years of detailed research in only three minutes, Universities hold cross-faculty 3MT competitions. The first was founded by the University of Queensland, Australia, where you can find many great resources and videos .

The tips below were adapted from “10 Hints for Improving Presentations for the Three Minute Thesis” by Danielle Fischer at Charles Darwin University ( Full PDF here ):

• Don’t introduce yourself, don’t do acknowledgements, don’t show data.
• Start by introducing how your research relates to the bigger picture. Try to think of why any person might be interested in your work.
• Only include relevant things on your slide and make sure images are good quality. Carefully design your slide, don’t overcrowd it or use too much colour.
• Use simple and familiar analogies.
• Speak with an excited and engaged manner.
• Don’t wear anything distracting.
• Use body language: smiling, gestures, movement, and eye-contact.
• Finish by bringing the audience back to the big picture.
• Practice and get feedback from a wide variety of people.
• Use your time, but don’t go over it.

These are some 3MT slides made by previous CHEM 803 students.

There are many resources online about preparing a 3MT presentation. Below are some links to helpful videos, award-winning 3MT talks, and the many resources provided by Queen’s University.

Helpful Videos

These videos were prepared by are owned by Australian National University.

3MT: three tips to help you prepare a winning presentation

3MT: the three most common mistakes

Award-winning 3MT

These are videos of some award-winning 3MT talks. The first one has the best title,  it’s simple and concise!

Wind turbines and climate change – Rosemary Barnes

Hypoxia-activated pro-drugs: a novel approach for breast cancer treatment – jasdeep saggar, the development of anti-body-drug conjugate to specifically target and soften the crystalline lens in vivo – gah-jone won.

Check out the Queen’s University 2020 Competition results, where you’ll find two award-winning 3MT talks from our Chemistry Department by Morgan Lehtinen and Alastair Kierulf. [ In the video at this link, click “Playlist” to find their talks ]

Principles of Scientific Communication Copyright © 2020 by Amanda Bongers and Donal Macartney is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Brilliant ideas conveyed in three minutes or less.

What is the 3MT® Competition?

The  Three Minute Thesis  (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. This event challenges graduate students to present a compelling speech about their research and its significance to non-academic persons in just three minutes using only one presentation image. 3MT® commenced in 2008 and is currently held in over 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide. In 2020, the 3MT® competition moved to a temporary virtual format due to COVID-19 and continues to be held around the world in either a virtual or live format (depending on local COVID-19 restrictions).

The goals of the competition are to (1) highlight the excellent research conducted by graduate students and (2) improve graduate students’ communication of research to non-specialist and non-academic audiences. The judges of the competition are educated professionals in a variety of positions in corporate, government, and non-profit industries. 

3MT® Timeline

March-april.

Graduate students are invited to register for the 3MT® Competition.

Graduate students registered for the 3MT® Competition will be required to participate in workshops to prepare them for the competition.

The Preliminary Heats usually take place in the first week of November to determine the graduate students that will advance to the final round of the competition one week later.

The KU winner moves on to represent KU at the regional 3MT® Competition, which takes place in late March or early April during the annual meeting of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS). 

RELATED LINKS

• MAGS 3MT® Competition
• University of Queensland 3MT® Competition

SOCIAL MEDIA

• #3MTatKU on Twitter (X)
• #3MTatKU on Facebook
• #3MTatKU on Instagram

PREVIOUS COMPETITIONS

• 2022 KU 3MT® Competition
• 2021 KU 3MT® Competition
• 2020 KU 3MT® Competition

3MT® Competition @ KU

• Thompson Rivers University Library
• Research Guides

3 Minute Thesis (3MT)

3mt resources, graphic design principles, public speaking & feeling confident, tru 3mt competition.

• TRU 3MT Competition Website Register and submit your presentation slide by March 15, 2024.

The 3 Minute Thesis (3MT)

• 3 Minute Thesis - University of Queensland Click "Resources" for competitor rules and guidelines
• 3 Minute Thesis Slide Template Download this PowerPoint template and follow the instructions to prepare the slide for your presentation.

Undergraduate student or faculty member, but want to participate? Check out TRU's other 180 second research competitions during Research Month . The information and rules on this page specifically refer to the graduate 3MT, but will help you no matter which competition you are in: https://www.tru.ca/research/research-month.html

3 Minutes Thesis Slide

Your slide plays an important role in how you present and deliver the content of your thesis.

Think of the 3 minute slide as a backdrop to a play.  The slide serves as your "theatrical set" to your "one man show".  The slide sets the tone and graphically conveys the information to which you are speaking to.  

• a single, static, slide is permitted
• no slide transitions, sounds, animations or 'movement' of any description are permitted

3MT winning presentations

• More winning presentations

Design matters

The more strikingly visual your presentation is, the more people will remember it. And more importantly, they will remember you. — Paul Arden

Good graphic design is not about decoration or making something look super fancy. Design is about making communication as easy and clear as possible.

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a principle of the Golden ratio with broad application as a "rule of thumb" or guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images such as designs, films, paintings, and photographs. The guideline proposes according to the principle of the Golden section search that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Proponents of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject. - Wikipedia

White Space

• You need white space to help balance the images and text on your slide. 
• Empty space is not negative or bad space.  White space creates harmony and balance.

Using colour is an important aspect of delivering your message. Colour can help convey emotion, but keep in mind that colour association is culturally specific. For example, the colour white can mean purity in some cultures, but in other cultures white is associated with mourning.

It is a good rule of thumb to use colour sparingly (2-3 colours maximum).

Things to think about:

Contrast - shoot for high contrasting colours.  Avoid black text on an all white background as that can cause glare and eye strain.

Serif vs San Serif Font

Resist the temptation to put your entire thesis on your slide.  Your slide should convey the essence of your thesis and is meant to complement your spoken presentation.

Only include things that are:

• critical, essential and relevant
• metaphors or analogies to catch your audience's attention
• excellent graphical representations of a concept

image source: http://drmarkwomack.com/images/serif-vs-sans-serif.png

Tools for Finding Images

Remember: even if an image is in the public domain, you should still cite it! For the 3MT slide, the citation text can be small and out of the way.

TRU Library image databases - permitted to use images for educational purposes

Public Domain Images

Public domain: the copyright on public domain photos (and other works) has either expired or otherwise doesn't exist. You may use public domain work without worrying about getting permission, but you should still cite them, because they are not your work!

• Getty Open Content Program You can find these images by conducting a search on the Getty Search Gateway and then filtering your results by checking the box next to "Open Content Images", which is the second option in the Highlights section of the filters in the left menu. All images found through this program should be credited as "Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program"
• Google Images Use Advanced Search / Usage Rights / "Creative Commons licenses"
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art Images that are in the public domain will be marked as such.
• NASA Image Library NASA still images, audio files, video, and computer files used in the rendition of 3-dimensional models, such as texture maps and polygon data in any format, generally are not copyrighted.
• Pixabay See FAQ under Help for information regarding re-use of images.
• Public Domain Review a collection of images, books, films and audio files that are available in the public domain. The collection can be browsed by medium, time period, tag and source.
• Rijksmuseum Images on the Rijksmuseum website are fully searchable and downloadable. Each item that has entered the public domain includes this information in the section of the item description entitled acquisition and rights.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Image Gallery Because the images were mostly taken for the government, virtually all are in the public domain. Any images that are not in the public domain are marked as such.
• Wikimedia Commons Freely usable media files (images, audio, video). Check the image summary for details on permitted use.
• Yale University Art Gallery You can find more information on properly attributing images on the Art Gallery's Terms of Use page.

Creative Commons Images

For more info on creative commons, click here .

• Creative Commons Search Search a variety of media.
• Compfight Refer to "Learn about Photo Licenses" for information about re-use of images.
• PhotoPin This image search engine returns both Creative Commons and non-Creative Commons images. When you download any image, you can also download the necessary HTML to appropriately attribute the image to its creator.
• Bucketlistly Devoted to CC BY-NC licensed travel photos.
• Europeana, 1914-1918 Europeana is an online collection of content from European libraries, archives, museums and other institutions. Once you run a search in their search bar, you can limit your results to items that are freely usable or available under a Creative Commons license using the facets under Copyright in the left menu.
• The Stocks This website collects sites that offer access to high-resolution images available for use under Creative Commons licenses. Most of the sites offer the images under CC0 licenses and all of the sites clearly state how their images are licensed.
• Multicolr Search Lab allows you to search for Creative Commons-licensed images by color

Vector & Raster Graphics

Vector based images (.ai, .eps, .svg, and some .pdf) are based on a mathematical equation. For example, if your image is a circle in vector format, that circle is simply a mathematical formula. If you resize that circle by 1000x, the mathematical formula would still calculate that circle in proportion. This means that no matter how you resize vector images they will scale properly and there will never be any pixelation.

Raster based graphics, (.bmp, .jpg, .png, .gif, .tif, etc.) are based on a grid of pixels or dots. The pixels represent certain colors that make up a bigger image and are resolution dependent.  When you resized a raster graphic, they eventually start to pixelate due to the pixels being “stretched” beyond their original size.

3MT In 3 Minutes

How to look confident when you aren't feeling confident

Remember: your audience wants you to succeed. No one is plotting for your failure.

Check out your classroom in advance

Familiarize yourself with the layout of the of the room. Where is the spot where you will be speaking from? Is there a podium? How are the desks or chairs arranged? Will you need audio-visual equipment (ie. laptop or a mac computer connector)? How do the lights turn on/off? Is there a chalk board or dry wipe board?

Practice your lecture beforehand

If possible, practice giving your lecture/speech in the room where you will be doing it. Practice your timing and record the amount of time for each portion of your lecture/speech on your speaker's notes to help you keep track of the pacing of your lecture/speech when you are doing it for real.  

PRO TIP: See your lecture as your audience will see it and have a friend record your presentation practice. Use that recording to look for ways to streamline your presentation or find out if you have any verbal or non-verbal habits that can be corrected or minimized.

Bring water

Not only will the water quench a sudden dry throat, but it can also act as a prop. While you won't have time in your 3 minute thesis to sip water, having it before and after helps.

Wear clothing that is professional and exudes confidence. Your clothes should be comfortable and loose enough so that you can move around. Check for potential wardrobe malfunctions.

Script vs Notes

As you work on your presentation, you may start with a detailed script. It is a good idea to distil that script into an outline.

It is best to have your 3MT presentation memorized, but if you have to rely on notes they should be detailed enough to include key definitions, examples, analogies and any other detail that you think you might need some support if you get nervous in front of the room. 

Talisman or special token

If you have a small token, good luck charm or special piece of jewelry that makes you feel good, have it on you.

If you have a song or playlist that gets you going and makes you feel good, listen to it on your way to the competition to get PUMPED UP!

Kathy's secret song....

What you are aiming for is.....

• Authoritative

To achieve that:

• Maintain regular eye contact
• Speak clearly and enunciate: Make sure that not only do you keep regular eye contact, but try to have your audience see your face and mouth as much as possible. It helps many understand what you are saying and understand meaning.
• Use your body and use the space
• Vary speed and pitch; facial expressions: Don’t yell … you are having a conversation with your audience.
• Use an analogy or story to make your research relatable, but avoid these three conversation stoppers: sex , religion and politics
• Because you aren't reading a script, you'll be able to watch your audience's reaction to your delivery. Are they confused? Do they understand what you are saying? Look for body language and adjust accordingly.
• Include delivery reminders. Leave yourself notes and reminders within your notes. For example, "Breathe".. or "Slow Down" or sample questions to spur conversation or classroom contribution.

These resources provide tips and tricks for preparing your slide, sharing your research, and preparing to present at the 3MT competition.

• 11 Tips for the 3 Minute Thesis Competition Henry Miller (UT Health San Antonio)
• How to Talk about Your Thesis in 3 Minutes Inger Mewburn (RMIT University)
• Your Time Starts Now: A Guide to...the 3MT Competition Simon Clews, University of Mebourne
• How Grad Students can Effectively Tell their Research Story Jackie Amsden (Simon Fraser University)
• Tips and Techniques for More Confident and Compelling Presentations Matt Abrahams (Stanford University)
• Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast Matt Abrahams (Stanford University)
• Six Pieces of Bad Speaking Advice that Just Won't Die Anett Grant (Executive Speaking)
• Last Updated: Feb 27, 2024 12:05 PM
• URL: https://libguides.tru.ca/3mtslides

• Opportunities

The Pipette Gazette

11 tips for the 3 minute thesis competition.

After coaching both the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) and 3-minute post doc competitions at the University of Buffalo, here are my 10 tips for taking 1st   place in the competition:

Start with “Why,” end with “Why.”

As researchers interacting with our peers, we develop a methods-centric style of speaking. This style is based on the assumption that the person you are speaking with already understands the larger context of your research, an assumption which is often incorrect when speaking to a layperson. Instead, start by explaining the problems you are solving so the significance of your work can be clearly understood. Then, end your talk by reiterating this point and offer a “vision of the future” – a world which is different (presumably better) because of your work today.

Lose the details.

There is no such thing as a research subject that is too boring or obscure for 3MT. It’s the challenge of this competition that you must find what is interesting and exciting about your work and convey it succinctly. This information should be in your opening lines so you can hook the audience in. Many students will instinctively start by offering a detailed lecture on their research subject, citing case numbers and describing mechanisms – this is guaranteed to confuse the layperson who will be unable to put these facts and figures into their pre-existing understanding of the world. Start with broad, accessible ideas, work slowly towards the general details of your work, and then finish with more broad, accessible ideas. It should be apparent to the audience at every point what you are saying and why it makes sense. This will make the listener feel all the smarter for having understood you and, consequently, they will be excited for your research.

Tell a story.

You are the storyteller. You need to enthrall your audience so they can understand your research and its significance. Use drama to your advantage. Establish the scene and present the struggle which your research hopes to understand or resolve. A brilliant example of this comes from a student I coached for the 2018 3MT finals at UB, Camila Consiglio, in her talk on sex difference in immune responses. She begins by explaining healthy immunity as a finely tuned “thermostat.” As she explains, “a healthy immune system is strong enough to fight infections and prevent the development of cancer but not so strong that it can attack the body.” She then points out an unexpected finding: “Men are thought to be the stronger sex… but, when it comes to immune responses, men have weaker immune responses and develop more cancer and more infections than women… And women have too strong of an immune response and they develop autoimmunity.” These contrasting ideas of strength vs weakness in immunity between men and women creates a dramatic tension: “why does immunity differ between the sexes?” She then excitedly resolves the tension, saying that “the hand which controls the thermostat is sex hormones .” However, this leads to a new mystery: “which sex hormones? And how do they influence immunity?” The cycle of posing and answering questions through research keeps the listener interested and engaged throughout the remainder of the talk. In my experience, most science-based 3MT talks can implement a similar pattern to enthrall the listener with their research.

The PowerPoint slide is a trap. Do not fall for it.

The PowerPoint slide has long been the downfall of 3MT competitors because it plays upon the most basic instinct of the researcher: the desire to convey complex technical information in PowerPoint form. You must resist this urge. Watch the international 3MT competition – notice that the finalists have little or no information on their slides. That is because they know that, in 3MT, the speaker is the ultimate source of information. When a slide is overloaded with information (especially any significant amount of text), it is a distraction from the speaker. A typical slide on a winning presentation uses the slide to set a mood or tone or to convey a main talking point from which the speech draws upon. An example of this can be found in the slide used by another student I coached, Naila Sahar, in her talk on the contradictions between depiction and reality for Muslim women. Her PowerPoint shows 6 prominent Muslim women who have been depicted as deranged or downtrodden by various media sources. She points out the stark contrast between these “false narratives” and the reality of their inner strength and great accomplishments. The noble and dignified images of these women highlight this point succinctly.

Use The Slide As A Prop.

Additionally, some speakers use their slide as a prop in their talk. My favorite example of this comes from another student I coached, Anne Marie, in her presentation for the 2018 3MT finals at UB. She uses the slide to present a complex and confusing work of modern art in order to generate dramatic tension and mild discomfort for the listener. But, as she talks, the audience actively gains great appreciation for the art and comes to understand its value.

Take the listener on a journey.

Good 3MT talks are interesting. Great 3MT talks are a revelation. The former conveys ideas to the listener. The latter transforms the listener’s world view.  I again return to Anne Marie’s 3MT talk . She challenges the listener’s preconceived notions about modern art, teaches them to understand and appreciate it like she does, and, by the end, the listener has embodied a new outlook on art which will serve them for the rest of their lives. Another superb example comes from another student I coached, Philip Odonkor, with his 1 st place 3MT talk on his research in electrical sensors. His provocative title, “Is your house smarter than a mud hut?,”  encapsulates his challenge to the listener: to recognize that, despite our immense technological advances, our homes are typically as “dumb” as a mud hut. He paints a vision of the future for his audience in which they see themselves living a life of pampered luxury in their smart home. By the end of his talk, the listener believes deeply in the future Phil’s research will create.

Breathe and speak slowly.

Every time you practice your speech, take a few seconds to breathe deeply before you begin. In the competition, the clock does not start until you begin speaking – so you have time to catch your breath and center yourself. If you practice breathing every time, you will remember to do it when you are in the real competition. Also speak slowly – about 50%-65% of your typical speaking speed. In the competition, you will speed up naturally because of anxiety. If you have practiced talking slowly, then you will not speed up too much when under pressure. Additionally, you may forget a line or stumble during the competition. If you have given yourself plenty of breathing room, you can take a moment to re-center without any fear of going overtime.

Don’t tell.

An interesting facet of human learning: we are generally much better at understanding and retaining visual information than information which we hear. If you want to win 3MT, the audience has to see your ideas, not just hear them. That is why the restriction to one slide is there – it forces you to make people see your ideas using only your words, your tone, and your body language. Once you have a final script for your talk, start styling it. Techniques you can easily employ involve pausing, speeding up/slowing down, and getting louder/quieter. These verbal cues add a layer of additional context that helps your audience understand the picture you are painting. Additionally, use your body language to indicate concepts. Your hands and the orientation of your face are the strongest cues. Phil’s 3MT talk is again a wonderful example of all these techniques executed masterfully. At one point, he says “make sense of the world around them, and the people living within ”. On the word “around” he gestures in a wide circle with his hands and then on the syllable “-in” he brings them back into his chest. While the audience is unlikely to consciously notice the motions, they are painting a deeply vivid picture all the same.  Again, notice the hands as he says “as you crawl out of bed , the light automatically adjusts to complement the natural light coming in ” – for each of the italicized words in that sentence, Phil essentially mimed out the concept using his hands and head orientation. See if you can find ways to similarly mime out aspects of your speech as well.

Practice. Win.

Some of you might be thinking you can speak extemporaneously and win 3MT. Think again. A great 3MT presentation combines three layers: (1) the words, (2) the way in which the words are spoken, and (3) the gestures and facial expressions used to help convey meaning. All three must be polished. The words and tone can both be polished by speaking them aloud, recording yourself, and playing it back so you can adjust. When you feel the urge to say “Um” or “Uh”, pause instead. The facial expressions and gestures can be practiced in the mirror or by video recording yourself. In my experience, before you can truly master the tone, timing, and gestures, the words must be committed to memory entirely. Then, once you have your final words, speaking style, and gestures, you can begin to practice over and over until you can consistently do your speech perfectly within the target time limit. 3MT winners often practice at least 50 times over the span of several days before the competition.

Stand on the shoulders of giants.

Watch previous year’s 3MT finals at Queensland University. Emulate aspects of these talks which you like within your own speech. TED talks are another great resource (though few are 3 minutes or less). Additionally, check out great books such as Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” and Chris Anderson’s “TED Talks: The Official Guide to Public Speaking”. I have personally read both books and found them to be immensely valuable resources for prepping for competitions like 3MT.

Remember that you have the opportunity in 3MT to tell your audience about your awesome, exciting research so they can get just as jazzed up about it as you are. Ultimately you are giving them a gift, one that will improve their lives and bring them the joy which comes with learning something new and understanding something complex. A strategy employed by many professional presenters before they begin to speak is to say to themselves “I love my audience, and they love me”. While perhaps a bit egotistical, such rituals are centering for 3MT presenters too because it helps them get into the right headspace: you are here to give the gift of knowledge and understanding, so your audience is going to enjoy hearing your talk and learning about your research.

While 3MT can feel daunting and scary, the simple act of participating and doing your best will make you a better scientist and communicator regardless of whether you win. Also, do not forget that there are many resources to get help if you want it. You can schedule an appointment to speak with me by emailing me at [email protected]  and there are many resources available online for learning the skills to win 3MT such as those provided by Queensland University .

Best of luck!

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/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="3mt presentation example"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Three minute thesis.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a competition for doctoral students to develop and showcase their research communication skills.

3MT Competition

Could you present your 80,000 word thesis or dissertation in three minutes? Do you want the excitement of competing with other graduate students for a total of $2,500 in prizes and the opportunity to participate in the Northeastern (U.S. and Canadian) round or even to showcase your research at the annual Council of Graduate Schools meeting?

 3MT is an annual competition sponsored by the Cornell Graduate School. 3MT challenges research-degree students to present a compelling story on their dissertation or thesis and its significance in just three minutes, in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. All enrolled doctoral students at the research stage (with at least some results to share) are eligible. In 2024, the Graduate School 3MT is also open to research master’s students. The next competition will take place in Spring 2025.

Learn more about the 2024 Graduate School 3MT competition.

Email [email protected] with any questions.

All newly created videos on this website are accessible. Closed captions are available for the video on this page, and selecting the option to watch in YouTube will provide a transcript for the video. For an accommodation for this archival video, please contact [email protected] .

The first 3MT was held at The University of Queensland (UQ) in 2008 with 160 graduate students competing. Enthusiasm for the 3MT concept grew, and its adoption by numerous universities led to the development of an international competition in 2010. Today students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Asia-Pacific region take part in their own regional and national events.

Cornell Graduate School hosted its ninth 3MT competition final round event on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Video submissions for the preliminary round was due on March 1, 2024, and was reviewed by a panel of volunteer judges using a common scoring rubric to select the finalists.

At the final round event, held in person on the Ithaca campus, a panel of judges scored presentations and selected the top two finalists. Additionally, audience members were able to vote for their favorite presenter for the People’s Choice Award.

3MT Resources

• Watch videos of finalists from Cornell’s 3MT contests .
• Learn more about the 2024 3MT winners and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2023 3MT winners and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2022 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2021 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2019 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2018 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2017 3MT winner and finalists .
• Watch a video of the inaugural 2019 Ivy 3MT event . Read more about the 2019 Ivy 3MT event .
• Watch videos of winning presentations from around the world .
• Read more about the Three Minute Thesis in Science Magazine .
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (i.e. no poems, raps, or songs).
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when presenters start their presentation through movement or speech.
• Presentations are to commence from the stage.
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any kind) and 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.
• Zoom backgrounds are considered props. Please ensure your background is a blank screen or wall. 
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

Each of the judging criteria has equal weight. Note what each criterion has in common: An emphasis on audience.

Comprehension and Content

• Did the presentation provide a clear background and significance to the research question?
• 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 in language appropriate for a non-specialist audience?
• Was the PowerPoint slide clear and did it enhance the presentation?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research, and capture and maintain the audience’s attention?

For more information about the Cornell competition, email  [email protected] .

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Penn Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

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Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a competition for doctoral and research students to develop and showcase their research communication skills through brief, 3-minute presentations.

Penn's annual 3MT competition is sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Education, with co-sponsorship and support from Career Services, the Graduate Student Center, and GAPSA. 

Penn 3MT is a University-sponsored speaking competition designed to showcase graduate student research in three-minute talks to a general audience. This is a terrific opportunity for graduate students engaged in substantive original research to develop communication skills and share their work with faculty, students, and staff from across the University.

• 3MT Information Sessions : November 2023 & January 2024
• Research Communications Workshops : October - November 2023 &  February 2024 (optional)
• Practice and Feedback Sessions: February 2024 (optional)
• First Round Video Submissions Due: Saturday, March 2, 2024
• Finalists announced: March 7-8, 2024
• Finalist Feedback Sessions: March 8-21, 2024
• In-person Competition : Friday, March 22, 2024

In addition to bragging rights, a prize of $1000 will be awarded to the first-place winner and $500 to both the second-place and audience choice winners. Winners will also have the opportunity to participate in regional and national 3 Minute Thesis competitions!

Meet the Finalists & Winners!

First place, $1000, kritika jha.

Kritika is a material chemistry Ph.D. student at the SAS and has dedicated her research to sustainable and intelligent packaging solutions. She is also a great fan of cooking, so she’s always cooking up a storm both in the lab and the kitchen,  with a mission to whip up eco-friendly packaging solutions. So, just think of her as a chef-scientist, where her ingredients aren't just spices and veggies, but also the stuff that could make tomorrow's packaging as compostable as an apple core, with a sprinkle of creativity and a dash of science. Now she’s going to tell you more about all that in her talk title “Nanosuperheroes: Who Can See the Unseen Dangers” 

Second Place, $500, Grace Simon

Grace is a PhD Candidate in the Management Department. Before embarking on her PhD journey, Grace spent five years working in the financial services industry. From supporting employees through bank robberies to leading a crisis communications team during the pandemic, Grace realized the central role of emotions in the workplace. In her research, she explores when and why supportive intentions at work can go right and wrong.  When she's not working on research, you can find her searching for the best ice cream in Philadelphia or perfecting her soft pretzel recipe. Now she’s going to tell you about her research in her talk titled “Putting Feelings into Words” 

Audience Choice, $500, Talayah Johnson

Talayah is Bioengineering Ph.D. student here at the University of Pennsylvania. Her journey started at Penn State University where she received her B.S in biology and Masters in biomechanics. Outside of research she enjoys volunteering at Philadelphia high schools as a way of encouraging minority students to pursue STEM degrees.  Now she’s going to tell you about her research in her talk titled “The Tendon’s Achilles Heel: How Reduced Loading Affects Limb Growth” 

Shelvey Swett

Shelvey is a second year PhD student in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department. Her work focuses on carbon capture and storage. Outside of research, Shelvey loves reading, watching video essays, and doing hot yoga. Now she’s going to tell you about her research in her talk titled ‘Carbon capture? I hardly know her! Critical Mineral Supply and Carbon Dioxide Storage from Mining Waste’ 

Maya Moritz

Maya is a PhD student in the Criminology department at Penn. She grew up in New Jersey and studied labor and historical economics in Scotland, Canada, and Germany. During her studies, she listened to way too many true crime podcasts and, as a result, decided to return home and examine a different labor market- crime. As a PhD student in criminology she tries to keep her work on the brighter side by studying the crime-fighting effects of art, lighting, and the power of community. Now she’s going to tell you about her research in her talk titled “A Picture Worth A Thousand Words: The Effects of Murals on Crime ” 

Chris Johnson

Chris is a doctoral candidate in chemical and biomolecular engineering, with a focus on deciphering the physics behind new materials for energy technology. He has had work published in scientific journals such as Polymer, Advanced Materials Interfaces, and Chemical Communications. He was the 2020 winner of the Elda Wollaeger Gregory poetry award at the University of Delaware, and spends his free time playing with his cat Poe. Now he’s going to tell you about his research in his talk titled “Mission Ion-possible Charges in Motion" 

Natalia (Nati) Aponte Borges

Natalia is a graduate researcher, bilingual STEM educator, and artist. She obtained her B.S. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras and is currently a Biology PhD Candidate in the Schmidt Lab. She is broadly interested in the neurobiology of behavior, known as neuroethology. Her work focuses on the neural mechanisms that control courtship behaviors in songbirds. She studies brown-headed cowbirds, which have an elaborate song and display during courtship. Outside of research, she is passionate about community, science literacy, disability justice, and teaching. Along with birds, she loves photography, sewing, and going to the beach. Now she’s going to tell you about her research in her talk titled “The Neural Command of Courtship: How the Bird Brain Orchestrates an Elaborate Wingspread” 

Pulkit Khandelwal

Pulkit is a 5th year PhD student in the department of Bioengineering. Previously, he completed his masters in computer science at McGill University in Montreal. Pulkit's research interests lie in biomedical image analysis using artificial intelligence and shape analysis to understand how neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, spread in the brain using postmortem human brain MRI. In his spare time, he likes to read poetry, literature, listen to Greek mythology podcasts, nerd out on coffee, enjoy foreign language independent movies, and lately he has been interested in rare books and book binding! Now he’s going to tell you about his research in his talk titled “Alzheimer's disease: cutting the brain open, literally!” 

To enter, students must register below and submit a video of their three-minute talk to Penn 3MT (details below) by Saturday, March 2. From those first-round submissions, up to 10 finalists will be chosen to compete in the campus-wide, live competition on Friday, March 22.

Register for Round 1 Video Submission

The 3MT competition will teach you how to communicate effectively to specialists and non-specialists alike, preparing you to present your research at scholarly conferences and to take part in both academic and professional job markets.

Professional Development:  Penn 3MT is a great opportunity for graduate students to practice sharing their original research to general audiences. Participants have the opportunity to attend workshops and receive group and one-on-one coaching to  develop oratorical skills, dynamic deliveries, and compelling content  when presenting their academic research.

Networking:  3MT participants will have an opportunity to meet and engage with new faculty, staff, and students from across the University.

Impact:  Participants have the opportunity to make the importance and relevance of their research visible to a non-specialist audience. Participants can elect to have their presentation shared online, promoting both your own work and the value of graduate student research to a much wider audience.

Prizes:  Everyone who submits a video will receive prizes from GAPSA and the Grad Center! Please register at the blue button at the top of the page  if you plan on submitting a video so we can collect your contact information. Judges will select a first-place ($1000) and second-place ($500) winner at the live competition. There will also be an audience choice ($500) winner.

Active PhD, Professional Doctorate Research (program composed of at least 2/3 research and eligible for Research Training Program (RTP)), and full-time Masters candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions at all levels. Graduates are not eligible.

Please Note : Students enrolled in any of the following programs are not eligible to enter the 3MT Competition:

Professional Masters

Professional Doctorate (less than 2/3 research)

Entries from all disciplines are welcome and encouraged.

In cases of presentation of a collaborative research project, the presenter’s contribution to the project must be salient and clearly specified.

If you are unsure of your eligibility or would like more information about 3MT, please contact [email protected] . You can also check the Graduate Catalog for your Penn School to see if your program is listed under the PhD and Research Master's Programs.

To enter, you must submit a three-minute video of your presentation by 11:59 p.m. (local time) on March 2, 2024.

Please register at the blue button at the top of the page  if you are interested in participating . Be sure to read through the Rules and Guidelines also before submitting your videos!

Competition Process

Students may submit their slide and video anytime before Saturday, March 2, 2024  for feedback. You can also request a 1:1 session during this time for immediate feedback or to go over your presentation with the Associate Director.

Research Communications Workshops offered by the Graduate Student Center will occur October - November and January - February. See our Events page for details.

Student videos submitted by the deadline of  Satur day, March 2 at 11:59 p.m., EST  are reviewed by a panel of staff for compliance with the eligibility requirements.

10 Finalists are selected for the online competition by March 7-8, 2024.

A  campus-wide competition between the finalists will be held March 22, 2024. A reception will be held after the competition.

On the basis of these presentations, winners will be selected by the panel of judges and a “people’s choice” by audience members.  

Judging and Selection

A panel of non-specialist faculty and staff judges will evaluate student presentations. Presentations will be evaluated based on clarity, comprehension, content, engagement, and communication.

Everyone who submits a video will receive a gift for participating! Please fill out the interest form above if you plan on submitting a video so we can collect your contact information. Judges will select a first ($1000) and second-place ($500) winner at the live competition. There will also be an audience choice ($500) winner.

All decisions of the judging panel are final.

Video submission:   

• Your video and slide should be submitted using the button below.  Please register at the blue button at the top of the page  if you are interested in participating .
• All video files should be named: “Title_of_talk.mp4” or “Title_of_talk.mov”.  Please do not include your name or any other identifying information in the name of the video file.
• You do not need to include your slide in your video. A video of you speaking is enough. You will upload your slide alongside your video.
• At the very beginning of your video, please state your full name, graduate program, and the title of your presentation. The time it takes to do this will not be counted against the three minutes to present your research.
• You will not be judged on your skills as a videographer, and you do not need to use professional video equipment. As long as the judges can see you and the audio is clear and understandable, that is sufficient. You can record yourself using the Panopto interface in Canvas. You can also record yourself in Zoom. You may ask a friend or colleague for help creating your video, or you can get assistance and borrow equipment from the Vitale Digital Media Lab . You can also follow these tips for recording a presentation in Zoom . Here is one demonstrated on a Mac .

Visual submission :

• Presenters may use a single image or static PowerPoint slide (no Prezi or other presentation formats) to enhance their presentation.
• Students must create their slides themselves – they cannot ask someone else to design the slides. Use of PowerPoint templates is allowed.
• Slides can include visual elements (charts, visualizations, photos, clip art, etc.) created by someone other than the student, as long as the slide credits the original creator.
• Embedded audio, animations, and/or video clips (including but not limited to .gif, .avi, .mp4, .mp3, and .wmv file types) are NOT permitted.
• Powerpoint slides should be named "Title_of_talk.ppt". Please do not include your name or any other identifying information in the name of the PowerPoint file.

Powerpoint slides and videos can be uploaded below. If you are having difficulty, please upload it to Microsoft, Box, or Google Drive and email jomcb at upenn.edu the link to download.

Upload Your Video & Slide

Length and Timing: Presentations should be a maximum of three (3) minutes in length, commencing from the moment the speaker starts the presentation through movement or speech.

• The presentation  begins  at the moment the speaker engages with the audience (if they start with a hand clap, a gesture, or any other such engagement, prior to speaking, the clock begins at that time; if there is no such engagement the clock starts when the student begins speaking).
• If the speaker continues past three minutes, points will be deducted from the final score, beginning with one point at 3:03, and one point every two additional seconds thereafter.
• No props of any kind are permitted, and notes cannot be used during the presentation.

Want some help getting started? In need of Inspiration? Check out the resources below!

3MT® Resources

• Three-Minute Thesis Showcase :  Watch winning 3MT presentations from around the world.
• Three Tips to Help You Prepare a Winning Presentation
• 3MT: The Three Most Common Mistakes
• Sample 3MT Coaching Session

Past Penn 3MT ® Competitions and Workshops

Research Communications Workshops

Additional Resources

• Nature MasterClass: Effective Science Communication (PennKey login required)
• Alda Center for Communicating Science Creating Connections Workbook
• XKCD Simple Writer
• Dejargonizer
• TED Talks :  Short talks on “ideas worth spreading.” 
• PhD Comics Two-Minute Thesis  Competition
• Berkeley Grad Slam Competition

Graduate Student Center University of Pennsylvania 3615 Locust Walk Philadelphia PA 19104 215-746-6868

[email protected]

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Three Minute Thesis

The Ohio State University has for many years participated in an in-house 3MT competition, and finalists have competed at the regional  (Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools [MAGS])  level and national levels (the Council of Graduate Schools [CGS]).

The 3MT is an academic competition for doctoral and master’s students engaged in their  OWN  research, summarizing it to an educated layperson in 3 minutes or less, using pre-determined guidelines. A panel of judges scores each student to determine the top awardee.

Visit the University of Queensland Site

There are links to the instructions for students; 3MT Competitor Guide, which can be used at the college level, and the student is expected, if nominated, to compete at the university level. It also meets the guidelines for competing regionally and nationally. The rating rubrics Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition-Rubric were developed based on the criteria used regionally.

MAGS 3MT Website

The Three Minute Thesis competition is graded on a point system based on four levels of criteria of performance across 11 categories.

Four Performance Levels

• Beginning - Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
• Developing - Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
• Accomplished - Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
• Exemplary - Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level

Eleven Performance Criteria

• Presenter provides an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed, while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon.
• Presenter clearly describes the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes.
• Presenter follows a clear and logical sequence.
• The topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes are communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
• The presenter spent adequate time on each element of their presentation.
• The oration makes the audience want to know more.
• The presenter was careful to not trivialize or generalize their research.
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research.
• The presenter captured and maintained their audience's attention.
• The presenter has sufficient stage presence (eye contact and vocal range, maintains a steady pace, and has a confident stance).
• The PowerPoint slide enhanced the presentation – it was clear, legible, and concise.

Sample 3MT Panelist Rubric Score Sheet

Taken from The University of Queensland website - threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au (opens in new window)

Even the world’s best public speakers prepare before important presentations. To assist you with your preparations, please find a few suggestions below that will help you in writing your presentation, creating your slide and practicing your presentation.

3MT Drafting

Write for your audience.

• Avoid jargon and academic language.
• Explain concepts and people important to your research - you may know all about Professor Smith’s theories, but your audience may not.
• Highlight the outcomes of your research, and the desired outcome.
• Imagine that you are explaining your research to a close friend or fellow student from another field.
• Convey your excitement and enthusiasm for your subject.

Tell a story

• You may like to present your 3MT as a narrative, with a beginning, middle and end.
• It’s not easy to condense your research into three minutes, so you may find it easier to break your presentation down into smaller sections.
• Try writing an opener to catch the attention of the audience, then highlight your different points, and finally have a summary to restate the importance of your work.

Have a clear outcome in mind

• Know what you want your audience to take away from your presentation.
• Try to leave the audience with an understanding of what you are doing, why it is important, and what you hope to achieve..
• Proof your 3MT presentation by reading it aloud, to yourself and to an audience of friends and family.
• Ask for feedback.
• Ask your audience if your presentation clearly highlights what your research is about and why it is important.

Before you start work on your slide, you should take the following rules into account:

• One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted.
• No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are permitted.
• Your slide is to be presented from the beginning of your oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted.

Suggestions

You may like to consider some of the following suggestions.

• Less is more: text and complicated graphics can distract your audience – you don’t want them to read your slide instead of listening to your 3MT. 
• Personal touches can allow your audience to understand the impact of your research.
• Creativity drives interest: do not rely on your slide to convey your message – it should simply complement your oration.
• Work your message: think about how your slide might be able to assist with the format and delivery of your presentation – is there a metaphor that helps explain your research?
• An engaging visual presentation can make or break any oration, so make sure your slide is legible, clear, and concise.

3MT PRESENTATION

Practice, practice, practice.

• Feeling nervous before you present is natural, and a little nervousness can even be beneficial to your overall speech. Nonetheless, it is important to practice so you can present with confidence and clarity. Practicing will also help you gauge the timing of your 3MT so that you keep within the time limit.

Vocal range

• Speak clearly and use variety in your voice (fast/slow, loud/ soft).
• Do not rush – find your rhythm.
• Remember to pause at key points, as it gives the audience time to think about what you are saying.

Body language

• Stand straight and confidently.
• Hold your head up and make eye contact.
• Never turn your back to the audience.
• Practice how you will use your hands and move around the stage. It is okay to move around energetically if that is your personality, however it is also appropriate for a 3MT presentation to be delivered from a single spot on stage.
• Do not make the common mistakes of rolling back and forth on your heels, pacing for no reason, or playing with your hair as these habits are distracting for the audience.

Record yourself

• Record and listen to your presentation to hear where you pause, speak too quickly, or get it just right.
• Then work on your weaknesses and exploit your strengths.

Look to the stars!

• Watch your role models such as academics, politicians, and journalists, and break down their strengths and weaknesses.
• Analyze how they engage with their audience.
• View presentations by  previous 3MT finalists(opens in new window) .

Dress 

• There is no dress code. If you are unsure of how to dress, you might like to dress for a job interview or an important meeting. It is important that you feel comfortable so you can focus on your presentation.
• If you are presenting on a stage that has a wooden floor, be aware of the noise your footwear might make.
• Do not wear a costume of any kind as this is against the rules (as is the use of props).

2023-24 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Dates

Nominations:

• Nominations are due to Dr. Karin Jordan at jordan.1193 by January 26, 2024

University-wide competition:

• February 7, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Upcoming 3MT Events

Osu 3mt materials, participation process.

The process for recruiting 3MT participants from all colleges has been revised this year, giving more students an opportunity to compete, as well as to help cultivate these students’ research and presentation communication skills. It also serves as a way to enhance students’ ability to communicate their research to an audience that does not have expertise in the field. This skill set can be important when job interviewing, but also might lead to giving these students exposure as researchers and exposure of their research, both within and outside of the university. This kind of exposure can lead to potential collaborations, funding support and other opportunities.

College Wide Competition

We encourage all colleges to invite their graduate students that were winners (oral or poster session) of the 2023 Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum to participate in this year's 3MT college competition. In addition, we encourage colleges to also extend an invitation to master’s and doctoral students that are engaged in their own research, to participate in their college level 3MT competition

University Wide Competition

After each college has held its own  3MT College Competition  and selects its college finalist. The college finalists will participate in a university wide 3MT in-person competition, hosted by the Graduate School on  February 8 th , 2023 from 10:00AM to 11:30AM  in the Graduate School (University Hall, 2 nd  Floor) Conference Room 250Q. There will be light refreshments.

The 3MT Selection Committee will be at the event, and make their selection.

Who Should Attend

The university-wide competition event is open to Deans, A-Deans, Grad Studies Chairs and the finalist’s advisors. Graduate faculty and graduate students are also welcome to support their students, as well as to learn more about the 3MT. Information about how to RSVP for this event will be posted and distributed closer to the event.

Advisor Role

Advisors can support their students by helping them to prepare for the 3MT, listening to their presentation, assuring that all requirements are met, and providing feedback and support.

University Finalist

A 3MT selection committee will be part of this live event. Students will reviewed on presentation, following the 3 minute limit and single PowerPoint slide, as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. These award winners will be recognized at the Graduate School's Annual Award Ceremony in the spring and the finalist will represent The Ohio State University at the regional MAGS competition in the spring.

People's Choice

The audience (not including participants) will be able to vote for their favorite 3MT presentation. The People’s Choice will also be recognized at the Graduate School Annual Award Ceremony in the Spring term

• 1 st  Place (University Finalist) - Scholarship
• People’s Choice - $500
• 2 nd  Place - $400
• 3 rd  Place - $300

Previous 3MT Competition Awards

2023 3MT College Level Competition 

Still Have Questions?

Development, Engagement, Careers, and Workshops

Assistant Dean Karin Jordan [email protected]

Texas A&M University

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How to Write a Winning 3MT Speech: Learning from Successful 3MT Presentations

文 / 葉芳萍 (本中心教師)

Imagine yourself as one of the 12 finalists during this year’s 3MT competition. As you walk slowly onto the center of the stage in the spacious auditorium, you know you have merely 3 minutes, one unanimated PowerPoint slide, a panel of distinguished judges, and more than 500 eyes from the audience riveted on you. The clock is ticking and this is your moment to shine.

The fourth 3MT competition organized by AWEC at NTU has drawn to a successful close. Since last year, we began working jointly with NTUST and NTNU to stimulate more well-crafted and inspiring academic presentations. This annual research communication event, created by the University of Queensland in Australia in 2008, has been globally recognized and well-received by many of our faculty members and students at NTU. This year we had close to 150 graduate students take on this challenge to win the top cash prize of NT ,000. In the face of such an intense competition among so many well-versed contestants, one may ask: what is the key to giving a successful and winning 3MT presentation? As an instructor of the English Presentation for Academic Purposes course and one of the preliminary judges for two 3MT contests, I have watched a myriad of talented contestants’ video submissions. My conclusion is that the most fundamental key to being chosen as a potential finalist rests on writing a memorable, easily accessible and well-structured speech. Here I provide some basic tips for writing a winning 3MT speech through a close analysis of some past 3MT winners in the local and international settings.

Tip One: Formulate your speech in a circular structure and think about a final takeaway message for the audience

This means that you should always remember to end up at the same point where you started. In other words, you should begin with an end in mind when outlining your speech. Here is an excerpt from the 2016 Asia-Pacific 3MT winning speech by Joshua Chu-Tan, a PhD student at the Australian National University (ANU), presenting his thesis entitled “Targeting the Roots of Vision Loss”. His speech begins with his main topic regarding the significance of our eye sight and possible consequence of vision loss:

“If I asked everyone here to think about the one sense that you couldn’t live without, I’m willing to bet that most of you would have immediately thought of your sight. That’s because our vision and what we see plays such an integral role into how we perceive the world around us.”

To conclude his speech, he reminded his audience of the dire consequences of vision impairment and ended up his speech with a powerful message for the audience to remember:

“Now I want everyone to look at this image [referring to the PPT slide] again, imagine living the rest of your life with vision like this, so the next time you’re with your loved ones, study their faces, their every feature, commit that to memory, cherish that image because one in seven of you will lose that ability if nothing is done about this disease. With the use of micro RNA, my hope and my goal is that for millions of people, this image can become clear. Thank you”.

Tip Two: Engage the audience from the very beginning

At the onset of an essay or oral s’ presentation, having an effective “hook” or attention-grabber is absolutely crucial. This holds true as well for the 3MT competition. In spite of your innovative research ideas or material itself, the minds of audience members will drift away if you don’t hit the ground running. In order to maintain the audience’s, and most importantly, the judges’ attention throughout the entire 3-minute presentation, I offer two recommendations here: 1) make it personal; 2) tell a compelling story.

As exemplified in the 2011 3MT runner up speech entitled “The paradox of listening to sad music” by Sandra Garrido, from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia, she began her talk by creating an emotional connection with her audience and drawing herself close to the audience.

“You and I all want the same thing: We want to be happy. Given this human preoccupation with the pursuit of happiness, it seems unlikely the people would deliberately seek out things they know will make them sad – and yet we do. I wonder how many of you have ever been to the cinema to see a film that you’ve heard described as a tear-jerker, or watched a favorite movie that you’ve cried in before, watched it again knowing that you’re going to cry again. If there are aliens observing human behavior from outer space, this would have to seem bizarre, and yet, not only do humans engage in this behavior, we enjoy it”.

By beginning with the message “You and I want the same thing: We want to be happy,” the speaker made her talk relatable and relevant to her audience. When you build rapport with the audience this way, they become your allies and will more likely pay attention to you from the very beginning. Not only did the speaker establish a close relationship with her audience using the pronouns “you”, “I”, and “we”, but she also aroused the curiosity of the audience with a puzzle: “Given this human preoccupation with the pursuit of happiness, it seems unlikely the people would deliberately seek out things they know will make them sad – and yet we do”. This engagement with the audience also makes a good transition to the motivation for her research.

The best way to make your presentation personal to your audience is to identify and highlight the common ground between you, as the speaker, and the audience. Consider this question: what values, goals or experiences would you find in common with your audience? With this question in mind, you appeal to your audience with a compelling story or relate to your audience with a surprising fact or puzzling question.

Tip Three: Make technical concepts/ideas comprehensible and easily accessible to a non-specialist audience

The main goal of 3MT is to motivate graduate students to present their research ideas and discoveries in plain language to a non-specialist audience. Based on my observations, I have noticed that most of my students, especially those who study in the STEM-based subjects, find it challenging to simplify the complexity of their research ideas or turn abstract concepts into concrete ones. Analogy, using a comparison or a metaphor to relate difficult concepts or ideas to things with which the audience can associate, can make complex scientific terms or details easily accessible and more memorable to non-specialist audience.

For example, when the 2012 3MT winner, Jennifer Campbell from the Engineering Physics program at Queen’s University of Canada presented her research, “Nanocantilevers: a new tool for medical diagnostics”, she effectively explained the characteristics and functions of nanocantilevers by comparing them to the things that are easily accessible to the audience.

“Now nanocantilevers are like tiny little diving boards so they are attached on one end and free to move at the other but they’re really tiny about a hundred times smaller than a human hair in fact, and since they’re so small, just the weight of a single molecule on the end of that nanocantilever is enough to make it bend”.

First, she compared nanocantilevers as “tiny little diving boards” and then explained how tiny nanocantilevers could be, compared to human hair. Later in her speech, she also described more details about her research focus by showing the audience how to make nanocantilevers as a powered breath analyzer for diagnosing medical diseases:

“I’ve been working on a new technique for measuring how much nanocantilevers bend. So what I do is I fabricate nanocantilevers right here on campus and I figure out a way to attach an extremely thin gold wire to one edge of that nanocatilever and the other end is fixed. So as that nanocantilever bends, that really thin gold wire stretches and we can measure that electrically, and that is how we can read out extremely tiny motions of these little nanocantilevers beams”.

In another example, the 2016 3MT winner Sean McGraw, an Astrophysics PhD student from Ohio University, presented his research on “Black Holes: Little engines that control the evolution of galaxies”, changing some scientific terminologies or concepts into the words that are more understandable to the audience. For example, he changed “spectrum” to “rainbow”, and “absorption lines” to “dark lines”, when explaining how he measured the black hole winds. He also chose the phrase “gas falling toward black hole” to replace “accretion” when describing the gas accumulation inside the center of an active galaxy.

“Telescopes today can collect the light from a galaxy and split it into a rainbow just like you see here. This is very important because the rainbow is coming from these active galaxies that have dark lines in them and these lines hold precious information about the black hole winds. I measure the dark lines in the rainbows of about a hundred active galaxies to gain insight into the black hole winds”

When you have difficulties in explaining abstract or complicated scientific ideas, consider the words you have in question and choose the best choice of synonyms that would clearly convey the points most people can understand.

Tip Four: Start with a bigger picture and then connect the dots – from general to specific

There are different ways of structuring a 3-minute speech. You can organize your ideas in a problem-solution approach by identifying a research problem and intending to provide possible solutions to it. Another common way to structure your presentation is to start with a bigger picture related to your research and develop it into a more focused idea with specific details as you progress through the 3-minunte speech. This is also known as the deductive pattern of organization: general-specific order, commonly used in writing an academic scientific writing. To organize your ideas from the general to the specific, you need to first situate your research focus into a broader context to which a general audience can relate, and lead the audience from this bigger picture to the more focused area of study you do in your dissertation or thesis. As you progress through the three-minute time period, you should endeavor to connect the dots with the specific information you present and the research question you intend to address.

The diagram presented as below is the speech layout from Sean McGraw’s 3MT presentation which is a typical example of general-specific organization pattern. This type of organization is very useful and easy to grasp because this framework is in tune with the CARS Model developed by Swales & Feak (2012), if you have taken the course “English Writing for Academic Purposes” offered by our center.

Tip Five: Answer important questions, but don’t try to say too much

Another difficulty revealed by a lot of the 3MT contestants during the process of writing their speeches is to decide what to talk about and what not to in this three-minute presentation. Many students have found it extremely difficult to focus on one single important idea and ignore the details of their research because they may have spent days and nights in the labs fiddling with their data or simulations, and to most of them, each piece of information matters and helps shape the entire picture of their research. Unfortunately, none of these matters in this 3MT competition. Instead, knowing how to maximize the impact of your research by minimizing the details and focusing on the intended question for investigation will be paramount to the success of the 3MT presentation.

One final point to keep in mind is to decide how much information you should explain when you transition from one idea to another. The audience may not follow you through if you spend too much time on any single idea and do not provide enough or equal amount of time to progress through the whole story in your presentation. On the other hand, if you give too little information from each idea to the next, the audience may lose their attention as well. Thus, knowing how much to explain moving from one idea to another by giving adequate share of information in your presentation.

臺大寫作教學中心電子報No. 032

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Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

What is a 3MT competition?

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a competition for master’s and doctoral students to develop and showcase their research communication skills. Developed by The University of Queensland, 3MT cultivates students’ academic, professional, presentation and research communication skills. To be successful, competitors must effectively explain their research in three minutes , using language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Villanova's competition offers three prizes. Our panel of judges will select a first-place winner ($1,000 award) and a second-place winner ($500 award). In addition, audience members in attendance will select a "People's Choice" winner ($250 award). The first place winner of Villanova’s 3MT® competition is entered into the regional 3MT competition for the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools .

How do I enter the competition?

All students must submit a self-recorded video of their presentation according to the timeline listed below. All video submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee in their respective colleges and finalists will be invited to present live at the final competition on February 24, 2023. See below for specific submission details and submission form button.

What are the rules?

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or movements of any description are allowed. The slide will be presented from the beginning of the oration. For the initial video submission, the PowerPoint slide can be attached as a file along with the video recording 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 three minutes maximum; competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps or songs).
• 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.

What are the judging criteria?

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

Comprehension and content:

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed, while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement and communication:

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or over-generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
• Did the speaker 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?

Who is eligible?

ALL graduate and law students who have engaged in research while at Villanova University are eligible to enter this contest. Whether you are a master’s, law, or doctoral student, writing a thesis or dissertation, completing research during an internship off-campus, or working on a research paper for a course, you are eligible to apply for this exciting competition.

NOTE: This competition is open to ALL graduate and law student researchers, regardless of whether they attend classes online, hybrid, or in person.

What is the schedule for 2023-2024?

Research communication skills workshops.

The Grad Center is partnering with centers, instititues, and departments across the University to offer graduate students skill building workshops in a variety of research communication areas, including:

• Presentation Anxiety
• Communicating the Value of Your Research to a Broad Audience
• Data Visualization

Learn more and access registration links for the workshops that are offered this semester.

Online Video Submissions

Students are required to enter a video submission by Sunday, February 18, 2024,  at 11:59 p.m. Entries must be submitted through the form using the button below. Applicants are required to upload their three-minute video to OneDrive, Google Drive, or YouTube, and to share a link to the video.

Applicants are welcome to record their video on their own using whatever device they chose. If applicants would like to record their video on campus or require any other assistance, they should reach out to the Grad Center .

Notification of Finalists

Finalists will be notified if they are invited to present at the March 15 competition by Friday, February 23, 2024.

Villanova’s 3MT Competition

The 3MT campus competition took take place on  Friday, February 24, 2023, from 3 to 5 p.m . in the Topper Theatre of the John and Joan Mullen Performing Arts Center. The competition was judged by a panel of judges from university leadership, which will awarded prizes to first and second place. The audience  selected the winner of the people's choice award. View a full recording of the program!

Presentation Resources

Villanova’s Center for Speaking and Presentation (CSP) is an excellent resource as you prepare for your video submission as well as the final competition. CSP recommends scheduling several sessions with them as you prepare and perfect your presentation. Schedule your initial consultation .

See the videos from the Spring 2023, Spring 2022 , Spring 2021 ,and  Spring 2020  competitions.

Check out the videos of winning presentations from some of our peer institutions:

• Cornell University
• UMass Amherst
• University of Notre Dame

Check out the videos in the 3MT Hall of Fame:

• Asia/Pacific region, hosted by the University of Queensland, the originators of 3MT

Finally, here are some online resources to promote your success:

• Three Tips to Help You Prepare a Winning Presentation
• 3MT: The Three Most Common Mistakes
• Sample 3MT Coaching Session

3MT is a professional and highly engaging international research communication competition

To learn more about the competition's history and rules, and to gain valuable preparation tips, visit the 3MT website .

RELATED TOPICS

• Chemistry Master's Student Wins 2023 Villanova Three Minute Thesis Competition
• Biology Master's Student Wins 2024 Villanova Three Minute Thesis Competition

Villanova 3MT Winner 2024

Graduate biology student   Claire Jones took first place in Villanova's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition for their presentation, “How do chickadees communicate about the presence and absence of food?” Learn more .  

Villanova 3MT Winner 2023

Graduate chemistry student Eliana Uriona took first place in Villanova's 2023 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition for her presentation, "Optimizing Biochar Conditions for Heavy Metal Immobilization in Contaminated Soils." Learn more.

Villanova 3MT Winner 2022

Graduate psychology student Sam Sinemus took first place in Villanova's 2022 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition for his presentation, "The Impact of Modeling Mental States on Goal-Directed Conversations." 

Villanova 3MT Winner 2021

Alec Tare, a student in Villanova's online Human Resource Development master's program took first place in the University's 2021 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition for his presentation, "Training Warehouse Managers to Decrease Turnover." 

Villanova 3MT Winner 2020

Early Cognition Lab

Developmental Psychology Lab in Singapore

Congrats to Petrina Low for Winning the SSS 3-MT Presentation Competition!

Petrina Low Hui Xian, a third-year PhD candidate at the Early Cognition Lab, clinched first place at the 3-Minutes-Thesis (3MT) presentation competition held by the NTU School of Social Sciences.

The aim of the 3MT competition is to nurture graduate students’ science communication skills. Specifically, students are challenged to deliver research findings to non-specialist audiences using only one presentation slide.

Presentations were judged on factors such as clarity, stage presence, articulation, engagement, as well as whether the language used was appropriate for a non-specialist audience.  For winning the top spot, Petrina was awarded with a cash prize and will be representing the School of Social Sciences in the university-wide NTU 3MT in June. Let’s hear from Petrina as she reflects on the experience.

• What is your 3MT presentation about? My 3MT was on parenting by lying, my thesis topic! I talked about what parental lies were, why parents lie, and what happens to children when parents lie, which are the key components of my research projects so far. 
•  How do you feel about winning first place? I was very surprised and grateful to come in first! I received much help from the lab members who gave very useful feedback for my slide and script, and I could not have done so well without their invaluable help.
• What was the process leading up to the presentation like? For example, how did you prepare for the presentation? When preparing for the presentation, I tried to organise my presentation into about 1 minute per each component I wanted to discuss in the 3MT, and also practiced the script to make sure that I would be within the time limit. Our lab members kindly gave me feedback and suggestions for improving the slide, and I also asked my family for their opinions as my test run non-specialist audience on my script. I have to give credit to my sister who does design for helping me improving the visuals of my slide too!
• How do you plan to apply your success and skills learnt from the presentation to your future endeavours? This was a very useful experience in communicating my research in simple and appropriate terms, which will surely come in handy when I want to discuss my research in broader areas. I hope to be able to get more confidence in presenting and communicating my research in the future, and I can use this experience to help other lab members when they prepare for their 3MT too!

Florida State University

FSU | The Graduate School

Main navigation Pulldown

The graduate school, three minute thesis (3mt™).

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland, Australia. The exercise develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills and supports the development of students' capacities to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience.

Doctoral students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their dissertation topic and its significance. 3MT™ encourages students to consolidate their ideas and crystalize their research discoveries.

Congratulate the 2023 3MT Winners!

1st Place:  Hyosoon Yim

Sport Management Promoting Sport Participation among Older Adults: Application of the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

2nd Place:  Tania Sultana

Biomedical Sciences ZIKV NS3 Drives Assembly of a Viroplasm-Like Structure (VLS)

3rd Place:  Meng Tian

Communication The Stereotypes of Female eSports Players

People's Choice:  John Akintola

Chemistry and Biochemistry Functional Polyelectrolyte Complexes

2023 3MT Competition Finalists!

Sima Sabbagh

Neuroscience Unmasking the Architects of the Brain: Marvelous FMRP

Art Education Art May Facilitate Community Building to Alleviate Chinese International Students' Alienation

Andre Juliao

Condensed Matter Experimental Physics Nb3Sn for Axion Detection

Hemant Goswami

Molecular Biophysics Development of an Ultrasensitive and Rapid Virus Detection Method Based on CRISPR-Cas Enzyme

Toshiaki Kanai

Physics  Quantum Computer on Solid Neon 

Qiushan Liu

Developmental Psychology Investigating Strategy Flexibility in Algebra

Click here to read the FSU News Article

Click here to see the 2023 3MT Competition Gallery

Your graduate research. 3 minutes. 1 slide.

Why Participate?

Skills development for research candidates Participating in 3MT develops academic, presentation and research communication skills, while developing research candidates’ ability to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Building external relations for the university 3MT winners go on to represent FSU at regional and national competitions which provides an excellent networking and professional development opportunity. 

Are you eligible?

Currently enrolled doctoral students at Florida State University are eligible to participate in the 3MT™. 3MT® presentations must represent the primary research the student has conducted in their graduate program.

Master's students are not eligible.

What are the prizes?

• 1st Place -  $1,000
• 2nd Place -  $750
• 3rd Place -  $500
• People's Choice (selected by the audience): $250

What are the judging criteria?

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

Comprehension and content

• Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question
• Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
• Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research

Engagement and communication

• The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
• The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

What are the rules?

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description), and the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration and remain in view for the duration 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.
• The decision of the judging panel is final.

Helpful Resources

• Click here to view the Three Minute Thesis Virtual Competition Handbook.

3MT Recording/Editing Links

• OpenShot Editing Video
• Kapwing Website
• 3MT Workshop Recording of Kapwing Editor: this video is a demonstration of the software
• Kapwing Tutorial
• FSU Canvas Support Center Tutorial : Best Practices for Student Video Production (iMovie and Movie Maker)
• Vimeo Website

Past 3MT™ Competitions

Fall 2023 3MT™

Doctoral student in Sport Management, Hyosoon Yim took first place at this year's 3MT competition and won $1,000. Read more .

Fall 2022 3MT™

Doctoral student in Science Education, Dionne Wilson took first place at this year's 3MT competition and won $1,000. Read more .

Fall 2021 3MT™

Doctoral student in Art Education, Chris Omni took first place at this year's 3MT competition and won $1,000.  Read more.

Fall 2020 3MT™

Mark Duslak (Educational Leadership & Policy Studies) and Matthew Martenson (Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences) finished first this year. Read more.

Fall 2019 3MT™

Judges selected Alyssa Henderson (Physics)and Sara Jones (Biomedical Sciences) as this year’s first-place winners. Read more.

Fall 2018 3MT™

Doctoral student in biological science, Eve Humphrey took first place at this year's 3MT competition and won $1,000. Read more.

Fall 2017 3MT™

For the first time, a student from the College of Education, Shannon Gooden (Teacher Education), won the $1,000 prize. Read more.

Fall 2016 3MT™

Madhuparna Roy (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering)won first place in this year's competition. Read more.

Fall 2015 3MT™

Aniket Ingrole (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering) won first place in the 3MT™ competition. Read more.

Fall 2014 3MT™

Kimberly Smith (Neuroscience) won first place in this year's 3MT™ competition. Read more.

View the past 3MT competition galleries

An 80,000 word PhD thesis would take 9 hours to present. Their time limit... 3 minutes.