Three Minute Thesis

What is 3MT® Competition? 

The University of Arkansas has competed in the 3MT® Competition since 2015, an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. This event challenges graduate students to present a powerful speech about their research and its importance to non-academic audiences using only one presentation image in just three minutes. 3MT® commenced in 2008 and is currently held in over 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide.

The goals of the competition are to (1) highlight groundbreaking research conducted by graduate students and (2) enhance graduate students’ communication of research to non-specialist and non-academic audiences. The competition judges are educated professionals in various positions in corporate, government, and non-profit industries.  

The  3MT Registration Form is open until October 2, 2023.

Round 1: October 5, 2023 (Bell 2269) 

- 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Round 2: October 19, 2023 (Bell 2286)

- 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Finale: November 3, 2023 (Hill 0206)

- 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM

  • First Place Winner: $1000
  • Runner Up: $750
  • People's Choice: $500
  • The winner of the 3MT® competition will move on to the Council of Southern Graduate School’s Regional Conference in March 2024. GSIE will cover the conference cost, airfare, and hotel for the student.
    • March 13-15, 2024, Greenville, South Carolina

RULES

  • Limit to 3 minutes maximum
  • Time starts when presenter begins speaking
  • Only visual is a single, static powerpoint slide
  •  No additional electronic media (no audio or video files)
  • No props (ex. costumes, instruments, equipment, etc.)
  • Presentations can only be in spoken word (no songs, poems, etc.)
  • Presentation must commence from the stage
  • Decision of the panel is final

JUDGING CRITERIA

Please note: Judging will focus on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience, and 3MT® PowerPoint slide. 

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 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?

2023

First Prize

  • Mostafa Mahmoudi - Eco-friendly concrete production using electrochemistry
    • Faculty Advisor: Martin Edwards

Second Prize 

  • Christina Barnes - Whispering sweet somethings: Children's understanding of whispered Speech 
    • Faculty Advisor: Douglas Behrend

People's Choice

  • Kindler Norman: The dysfunctional motor coding geometry due to loss-of-function Mecp2
    • Faculty Advisor: Woodrow Shew

 

2021 (virtual)

  • Overall Winner: Ai Ling Lu, Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies, M.A.
  • AFLS Winner: Tristen Avent, Crop, Soil, & Environmental Science, M.S.
  • ARSC  Winner: Charles Krampah Jr, Photography, M.F.A.
  • COEHP Winner: Amelia House, Occupational Therapy, O.T.D.
  • Engineering Winner: Kaushik Luthra, Biological Engineering, Ph.D.
  • Interdisciplinary Winner: Peter Gann, Cell & Molecular Biology, Ph.D.
  • WCOB Winner: Jonathan Phares, Supply Chain Management, Ph.D.

2020

  • Winner: Mahsa Lotfi-Marchoubeh, Chemistry and BioChemistry, Ph.D.
  • People's Choice: Abass Oduola, Cell and Molecular Biology, Ph.D.
  • People's Choice: Firuze Kordshuli, Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.

2019

  • Winner: Aubree Hawley, Food Science, Ph.D.
  • People's Choice: Rinalda Proko, Cell and Molecular Biology, Ph.D.

2018

  • Winner: Malachi Nichols, Education Reform, Ph.D.
  • People's Choice: Edidiong Udofica, Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.

2017

  • Winner: Diana Chen, Environmental Dynamics, Ph.D.
  • People's Choice: Daniel Sandor, Plant Science, Ph.D.

2016

  • Winner: Jade Newsome, Plant Pathology, M.S.
  • People's Choice: Richard Perry, Kinesiology, Ph.D.

2015

  • Winner: Priyanka Sharma, Cell and Molecular Biology, Ph.D.