3MT at Emory
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ) Australia in which graduate students deliver a compelling presentation to a non-specialist audience in 3 minutes or less. Since its founding in 2008, 3MT® is now offered at over 600 universities in 60 countries, with winners going on to compete in regional and national events as well.
The Laney Graduate School 3MT® Competition will serve as a skills development program that challenges students to explain their research project through verbal communication to an educated but non-specialist audience.
A note about this year’s format: Please note that this year, the LGS 3MT® competition will take place in an entirely virtual format. To enter the competition, you must first submit an application via this form. Those who are selected to continue to the preliminary round must prepare a recorded version of their 3MT® presentation and submit it to our online portal (More information about how to record and submit your entry to the preliminary round is forthcoming. Preliminary entries will be judged by a panel according to the 3MT® rubric. The ten competitors who score the highest during the preliminary round will be invited to compete live via Zoom in the Final round to an audience of LGS students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
| Date and Time | Activity |
|---|---|
February 12, 2021
| 3MT® Information Session via Zoom |
February 26, 2021 By 12:00pm | 3MT® Application Due |
March 17, 2021 By 12:00pm | Deadline to submit Preliminary Videos |
April 7, 2021 4:00pm-6:00pm | 3MT® Finals Competition via Zoom |
What is 3MT?
The exercise challenges research higher degree (PhD) students to present a compelling oration on their thesis topic and its significance in just three minutes. 3MT® develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills and supports the development of research students' capacity to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. 3MT® is not an exercise in trivializing or ‘dumbing-down’ research but forces students to consolidate their ideas and crystalize their research discoveries.
Why participate in the 3MT?
Benefits include the opportunity to:
share your work and its impact with a wider audience
enhance your ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience - in the 3MT competition, in an elevator talk, or at a family picnic
refine your public speaking and presentation skills
expand your professional network
gain media exposure - finalist videos are posted to Laney's YouTube Channel and winners are highlighted in Laney publications
be a part of a growing university trend - 3MTs are now held at over 600 universities in 60 countries and Emory's winner can participate in additional 3MT showcases and events
3MT at Emory
The competition is judged by a panel comprised of a diverse group of professionals (academic and non-academic) with a wide range of professional expertise.
How It Works
Presentation Rules
- A single static PowerPoint 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 (eg. 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.