About the Competition

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland. The exercise challenges current graduate students to present a compelling oration on their thesis or dissertation 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.

student presenter on stage at 3MT competition

2026 3MT Competition

10.21
3MT Preliminaries
MSC 2326

8:00 a.m.

10.22
3MT Preliminaries
MSC 2326

8:00 a.m.

11.05
3MT Finals
MSC Ballroom

3:00 p.m.

View the presenter schedule for the 2026 3MT preliminary competition.

For more information, contact Dr. Sheena Stewart, (334) 844-2130.

3MT at Auburn

Three Minute Thesis logo in green and purpleAuburn University’s 3MT competition is held once per year. To determine who competes in the 3MT, a preliminary competition is held and the top ten competitors advance to the university-wide final and compete for cash prizes. Auburn’s winner will also have the opportunity to represent the university in regional 3MT competitions.

History

The first 3MT was held at UQ in 2008 with 160 RHD (research higher degree) students competing. Enthusiasm for the 3MT concept grew and its adoption by numerous universities led to the development of an international competition. The inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT was held at UQ in 2010 with 33 universities participating.

In 2011, 43 universities were represented in the Trans-Tasman 3MT which was hosted by The University of Western Australia, and for the first time students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Hong Kong took part in their own regional events.

Auburn University held its first 3MT in the summer of 2013.
See a list of previous Auburn University 3MT winners.

How it Works

3 Minute Thesis (3MT) – Preliminary Rounds:

Wednesday, October 21
Session Time Presenters
1 9:00-9:50 a.m.

Nicholas McCormick | Kirthana Govula | Jo Smeby | Hannah Kelley | Seiyefa Vincent | Karamjit Kaur Baryah | Simran Dua
2 10:00-10:50 a.m.

Sirazum Munira Haque | Madison Harris | Aliki Kalpourtzidou
Samantha Mejia | Bria Smith | Tasnia Tahsin | Sara Jaradat
3 11:00-11:50 a.m.

Md Roknuzzaman | Parishruthi Ganesh | Zach Baldwin | Tin Nguyen | Noor Fatima | Melissa Voynich | Carolina Triboni
4 1:00-1:50 p.m. Maksuda Parvin | Vincius Apolloni | Lotanna Ezeja | Thang Truong | Pooja | Alexander Berry
5 2:00-2:50 p.m. Raudlah Ayani  Siddharth Bachoti | Dhanuka Bambaranda Hewage | Peter Ephraim | Sneha Gaonkar | Alexandra Neff
6 3:00-3:50 p.m. Mathew Gibbs | Yanlin Zhu | Stephen Olorundare | Mason Mathias | Tessa Barrett

 

Thursday, October 22
Session Time Presenters
7 9:00-9:50 a.m. Benjamin Mason | Shahab Musavi | Tasmia Ferdous | Debby Osias | Sarah Crim | Nadeen Abdo
8 10:00-10:50 a.m. Skyler Demi | Smith Easton | Carlos Campos | Harleen Kaur | Abdelaal Shehata | Thiraj Santhush Wegala
9 11:00-11:50 a.m. Fuad Bin Ahmed | Jonathan Ting | Zara Khoshkhou Gilavaei | Jimena Lopez | Angelina Molina | Carlie Pair | NsongErnest Asiedu 
10 1:00-1:50 p.m. Elizabeth Gainey | Malsha Thennakoon | Derek Anderson | Zahra Ghorbani | Silvia Campos Vargas
11 2:00-2:50 p.m. Akhil Teja Kambhampati | Yuting Ji | Ahmed Kamel | Arpitha Gentigemane Parameshwara

 

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or “movement” of any description)

  • 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 judging panel is final

Once a student begins their presentation, the clock begins to run. With 30 seconds to go, the timekeeper holds up a sign. A bell chimes at the end of the 3-minute period. If a competitor breaks any of the competition rules, they are disqualified.

At every level of the competition, each competitor will be judged by a panel of five judges on the three judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.

  • Comprehension

    • 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?

  • Engagement

    • 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?

  • Communication

    • Were 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 speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace; and have a confident stance?

    • Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation — or did they elaborate too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

    • Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation — was it clear, legible and concise?

Each judge assigns competitors a score of 1 through 10 for each of the three criteria. Once presentations are over, the judges’ scores are combined and the student with the highest points tally is declared the winner. Additionally, the audience casts their own ballots to select a winner for the People’s Choice Award (which is not awarded during the preliminary).

  • Winner = $500
  • Runner-Up = $250
  • People's Choice = $250


We are working to obtain sponsorship for the 3MT competition. If we are successful, the amount of prize money offered is likely to increase.

The winner and runner-up are both eligible to receive the people’s choice award. Prize money is deposited into each competitor’s student account.

3MT resources to help students prepare for competition: 

 

All Professional Development events hosted by the Graduate School will be held via Zoom. These sessions include:

All Professional Development events hosted by RBD Library are offered in person in RBD Library 3011 and on Zoom unless otherwise noted.

Poster/Visual Design and Presentations Workshops:


For additional resources, including workshops on Adobe apps, visual design, and presentation tips, visit Innovation & Research Commons at RBD Library.