Graduate Student Association
GSA Three Minute Thesis Competition
Training Workshop
Mandatory for those who wish to enter. All are welcome.
Online at Canvas.jefferson.edu
Instructions for the online 3MT Training Workshop video module
Preliminary Heats of Competition
Week of August 1st, 2022
FINAL COMPETITION
Week of August 22nd, 2022
1 – 4 pm on Zoom.
Email GSA@jefferson.edu with inquiries.
Figured out your entry?
Submit/Register your Title & Summary
What is 3MT?
Did you know that an 80,000 word PhD thesis would take nine hours to present? What would you say if you only had three minutes?
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT ®) competition was developed in 2008 by The University of Queensland (UQ) and has gained national and international recognition as a competitive research competition. 3MT showcases the exciting research being done by Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students while fostering students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition challenges students to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
Why Do 3MT?
Participating in the Three Minute Thesis competition is a fun and challenging opportunity that will help you hone your presentation and science communication skills. These skills are directly transferable to future research presentations, grant applications, networking events, job interviews, and outreach opportunities.
Furthermore, being able to communicate your research to a general audience is essential for the future of science. An audience that can understand the research you do can engage with science and ultimately advocate for its support.
As a participating student not only will you be competing for the top prizes, but you will also receive detailed feedback on your presentations during the preliminary heat. These presentations will be recorded, so you will have a copy of your presentation for your personal use to add to your CV, LinkedIn, personal/lab website, YouTube channel, or any other social media platform.
Eligibility
Any PhD student who has passed their qualifying exam but who has not graduated yet (they can have defended)
Any MD/PhD student who has passed their qualifying exams but who has not started their third year of medical school
Competition Rules
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description, 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 movement or speech.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Judging Criteria
A diverse panel will evaluate student presentations and students will be judged on comprehension, content, and engagement