Three Minute Thesis (3MT) - Graduate School

UMaine’s 3MT Competition

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

THE BASICS

The University of Maine’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition challenges graduate students to explain with just one static slide and their communication skills, their research to a general audience in only three minutes. Judges select the first and second place winners and audience members select the people’s choice winner. The first-place winner will move on to the regional competition.

ELIGIBILITY

Active PhD and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose dissertation is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions at all levels, including the Asia-Pacific 3MT competition. Graduates are not eligible.

UMaine is offering the opportunity for master’s students who are research-based and submitting a thesis as part of their degree program to participate in the local 3MT event. Master’s students do not qualify for regional or national 3MT competition events.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

REgister here

when is the competition?

The competition will be held in the spring 2025 semester at the Innovative Media Research and Commercialization (IMRC) Center.

Tentative Competition Date: March 20, 2025, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. The regional competition will be held on April 25, 2025.

PRIZES

RULES

Resources

3MT Overview

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition celebrates the research conducted by doctoral students. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), 3MT competitions cultivate students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

More 3mt background

Prizes

Winner: $500
People’s Choice: $300
Runner-up: $200

RULES

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) 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 either movement or speech.
The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

JUDGING CRITERIA

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

comprehension & 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 & 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?

Competitor resources

Below you’ll find some videos that provide tips on a successful 3MT presentation as well as some previous UMaine competitor presentations. You can also view the 2024 Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) regional competition video here to see past competitors at other institutions.

New this year, the Graduate School is also offering an opportunity to generate some buzz about the competition that will give the competitors additional practice for their presentations. To participate, competitors will generate a short video, approximately 30 seconds, with a very brief explanation of their research and an invitation to attend the 3MT competition. The Graduate School will post the videos on their social media, tagging the participant’s social media handles, and work with Marketing & Communications to share on their platforms. More information about submissions will be forthcoming, but for now, review our 3MT Tips & Tricks for recording your video.

Coaching for presentations will be available on the following dates:

January 27th, 2025, 12 pm- 1 pm [cancelled];
February 13th, 2025, 12 pm- 1 pm;
February 20th, 2025, 12 pm- 1 pm;
March 11th, 2025, 12 pm- 1 pm.