3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition

Three Minute Thesis header

The Three Minute Thesis Competition
 

An 80,000 word Ph.D. thesis would take 9 hours to present. Their time limit...3 minutes.
Special thanks to our sponsor RiverStone for supporting this event.
 


The 2025 3MT Competition is taking place in February and March! Thirty applicants will be selected to compete. Application information will be released soon.

 

3MT Overview

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) celebrates the exciting research conducted by PhD students around the world. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), the competition cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Competitors are allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props.

Our 3MT

The 9th annual 3MT competition took place in April 2024. We had 27 students compete and witnessed some fantastic presentations. We can't wait to see what our new and returning participants bring in 2025. To help students prepare for the 3MT we offer a workshop series that will guide students through the whole process-- developing the talk, creating the slide, and practicing the presentation.
view all the 2024 preliminary and final round presentations

Past Participants

The UNH Graduate School Media Channel hosts videos of the 3MT competitions from every year! Browse the channel at the link below to find 3MT presentations from participants across a range of disciplines and subjects. You can find direct links to the videos of our award winners from each year in the "Past 3MT Winners" section on this webpage as well.

UNH Graduate School Media Page
Official 3MT Website

 

2024 3MT Winners

expand all

2025 3MT Competition Schedule

Preliminary Round 1 - March 4th from 3-5pm, MUB Theater I
Preliminary Round 2 - March 5th from 3-5pm, MUB Theater I
3MT Final Round - March 26th from 3-5pm, MUB Theater II (followed by a reception from 5-6pm)

Along with the incentives offered in each of the 3MT workshop series, there are scholarship prizes for the top 3 competitors and the People’s Choice award winner.  

1st place - $1000
2nd place - $750
3rd place - $500
People's Choice - $500

Introduction to the Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
This workshop is open to all graduate students and postdocs. Come for an overview of what the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is and what makes a good 3MT, from content to audience to the way you present your research, orally and visually. Attendance can be in-person or virtual. 

When: December 10, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Hamel Recreation Center room 107C or via Zoom

Register here

 

Spring 2025 3MT Workshop Series

These workshops are for graduate students who apply and are accepted into the 3MT program.  This workshop series is optional but is a great way to set yourself up for success in the preliminary round! Participants are expected to come to these workshops with their work prepared and ready to engage in feedback sessions. Students who are accepted into the 2024 3MT competition will receive $200 scholarship for participating in the competition.

In the 3MT workshop series, accepted participants will find a wealth of opportunities to prepare for the competition effectively. These sessions focus on honing your talks, creating an effective 3MT slide, and providing tips for a strong stage presence. Details about each session are coming soon. You can find the list of workshops from last year here. 

 

3MT Finalists Workshop Series

This phase is for the students who have progressed past the preliminary rounds of the 3MT to the final competition on March 18. Each finalist will receive a $200 scholarship for making it to the final stage of the competition. The winner will advance to the regional 3MT competition.

2024

  • 1st place: Camryn Berry, PhD Student in Integrative Biology
  • 2nd place: Emily Andrews, PhD Student in Chemistry
  • 3rd place: Radhika Rani, Master's Student in Agricultural Sciences
  • People's Choice Award: Shuva Paul, PhD Student in Electrical and Computer Engineering

2023

2022

  • 1st place: Sathya Jagadeesan, PhD student in Chemical Engineering
  • 2nd place: Nikolai Matukhno, Master's Student in Mechanical Engineering
  • 3rd place & People’s Choice Award: Nick Pollak, PhD candidate in Chemistry

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or "movement" of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment, etc.) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations are to commence from the front of the theater.
  • 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.

3 Minute Thesis presentations are judged using the following criteria:

Comprehension and Content

  • Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
  • Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
  • Was the thesis topic, key results and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
  • Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
  • Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect so that other aspects of the presentation felt rushed?

Engagement and Communication

  • Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
  • Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or 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?