Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition originally developed by The University of Queensland in 2008, and now has been widely adopted at universities around the world. The exercise challenges masters and doctoral students to present a compelling talk on their Thesis/Dissertation topic and its significance. Many theses and dissertations can be over 80,000 words and take hours to present, but students in this competition have just three minutes and one slide to convey their often highly-technical research to a lay audience.
Presentations are judged by two main criteria: comprehension/content and engagement. Did the presentation help the audience (who may have no background at all in the research area) understand the topic? Did the method of presentation make the audience want to know more?
This is your opportunity to share how your research makes a difference. If you sign up, we will work with you to develop a presentation that highlights your work for possible colleagues, funders, legislators, or even your own family!
The 3MT Competition sign-ups are available now! Registration is open until October 1.
Training
If you are considering participating in the Three Minute Thesis or you just want to improve your scholarly communication skills, the Graduate School is ready to help. We are teaming up with campus partners to provide training on aspects of communicating your work to a variety of audiences. We hope you will sign up for any of the following sessions:
3MT: An Overview
September 11, 2026: 9am ET
Virtual
Hosted by the Assistant Director of Student Support, Abby Sherman, this session provides an overview of the Graduate School’s Three Minute Thesis competition including criteria, rules, tips for an effective talk and slide, and a special appearance from the fall 2025 3MT 1st place winner, Dr. Kriza Calumba.
Improv for Research Communication
September 18, 2026: 1:30pm–2:30pm ET
Hodges Library 213
Hosted by Steve Sherman, this hands-on workshop helps contestants think on their feet and communicate with more presence. Through short improv exercises, participants practice active listening, structure their research into a clear problem → approach → impact narrative, sharpen delivery (voice, pacing, posture, gesture), and try out a bridging technique for handling audience questions on the spot.
Effective and Engaging Public Speaking
September 29, 2026: 3pm ET
Virtual
Hosted by Dr. Marieke Keller, Assistant Professor in Communication Studies, this session will help familiarize participants with techniques for an effective and engaging research talk.
Slide School: Design, Data, and the 3-Minute Story
October 1, 2026: 2–3pm ET
Virtual
Open to all graduate students and postdocs, join this virtual panel of three campus experts in technology, scholarship communication, and information design who will share practical do’s and don’ts for building a single slide that’s clear, compelling, and instantly understandable to a non-specialist audience.
3MT® Competitions at UT
The Fall 2026 Competition comprises four heats and a final competition. The entire UT community (and beyond) is welcome and encouraged to attend any or all of these competitions.
Heat 1
October 16, 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Student Union 169
Heat 2
October 19, 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Student Union 169
Heat 3
October 22, 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Student Union 169
Heat 4
October 23, 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Student Union 169
Final Competition
November 18, 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Student Union 169
The Rules
The rules of the competition, based on those from the 3MT® organization are as follows:
- A single static image or slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
- No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
- No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
- Presentations are to commence from the stage.
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Why Compete?
One practical reason is that winners will receive a monetary award. However, participants will also develop valuable skills that will serve them in the future. Researchers are often called upon to explain their research to a lay audience, perhaps in order to gain funding, and being able to clearly and engagingly make their case can set them apart from their competitors. Another reason is to engage with the public to help develop support for the work that is done on university campuses. Besides, wouldn’t you like to be able to explain to your family and friends what exactly it is that you do?