Three Minute Thesis

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 2026 Three-Minute Thesis Competition will take place on April 14, 15, and 16 at the Claire T. Carney Library.

Undergraduate preliminary round

Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 2:00pm–5:30pm
Robert F. Stoico/FirstFed Charitable Foundation Grand Reading Room

Graduate preliminary round

Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 2:00pm–5:30pm
Robert F. Stoico/FirstFed Charitable Foundation Grand Reading Room

Finale

Thursday, April 16, 2026, 2:00 PM–5:30 PM
Robert F. Stoico/FirstFed Charitable Foundation Grand Reading Room

***The deadline for undergraduate students to register is April 6 by 5pm via this link; and submit your slide by April 10 by 5pm via e-mail to our@umassd.edu

***Graduate Registration Form-2026 for graduate students - due April 6 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 Rubric. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.