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University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Three Minute Thesis

Want the chance to win $1,000 in just three minutes talking about your intellectual passion?

Participate in the Office of Undergraduate Research's Three Minute Thesis competition
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia for research students.

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia for research students. 3MT cultivates 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.

The 2022 Three-Minute Thesis Competition will take place on April 26, 27, and 28 at the Claire T. Carney Library. The details are below:

 

Undergrad Prelim: Tuesday, April 26th 2022, LIB 205 from 3:30-6:30pm

Graduate Prelim: Wednesday April 27th 2022, LIB 206 from 2:00-5:00pm

Finale: Thursday April 28th 2022, Grand Reading Room from 3:00 to 5:00pm

 

***Registration form for undergrads- due April 15, 2022 by 5 pm via e-mail to our@umassd.edu

***Registration form for grads- due April 18, 2022 by 5 pm via e-mail to apgradstudies@umassd.edu

 

Participate in the Office of Undergraduate Research's Three Minute Thesis competition

  • 1st prize: $1,000
  • 2nd prize: $500
  • 3rd prize: $250
  • "People's Choice Award": $250

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

At every level of the competition each competitor will be judged on several criteria. Judges use a standard 3MT Judging Sheet. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience. 

More information for Undergraduate Participants

More information for Graduate Participants

OUR Work Blog Three Minute Thesis