Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) guidelines

3MT logo

Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland in 2008. Participants present their thesis work in a short presentation using a single slide. The competition challenges students to distill their research ideas and discoveries into a concise, compelling presentation that can be understood by a general, non-specialist audience.

Wayne State's 3MT takes place each year at the Graduate Research Symposium. An esteemed panel of judges score the presentations and select a winner, who moves on to compete at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools regional competition.

Application

The application period is now closed. 

Eligibility

The competition is open to Ph.D. students completing a thesis or a dissertation.

Rules

  • Participants can use only one static PowerPoint slide. (No transitions, animations, or movement are allowed.)
  • No additional electronic media are allowed. 
  • No props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, models, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to three minutes; competitors who exceed the time limit will be disqualified.
  • Presentations must be spoken word. No poems, raps, or songs are allowed.
  • Participants must deliver their remarks from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have begun when participants begin speaking or moving.
  • The winners of the 3MT competition at the GRS will be selected by popular vote and the decision will be final.

Awards

Resources

Tips

Presentations