Overview
Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland. Graduate students have just three minutes to present their compelling research and its significance to a general audience.
Winning participants earn the opportunity to advance to Idaho’s Statewide Three Minute Thesis competition, where they compete against graduate students from the University of Idaho and Idaho State University.
Eligibility
Currently enrolled master’s and doctoral students in face-to-face, hybrid, and online programs at Boise State University are eligible to participate in 3MT®.
Note: While students can compete remotely through the preliminary rounds at Boise State, the final competition and the statewide competition require in-person attendance.
- Students who graduated are not eligible
- Previous winners of the 3MT® competition are not eligible.
Competition Rules
- 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 considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or movement) and 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.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Scoring
At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.
Comprehension and content
- Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question
- Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
- Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research
Engagement and communication
- The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
- The Google or PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
- The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention
Prizes
A panel of judges from the Boise State community determines the winners.
- First Place: $1000
- Second Place: $750
- Third Place: $500
- Fourth Place: $250
- Audience Choice: $250
Countdown to 3MT®
Winning Impact
In 2023, Adrian Rodriguez, a graduate student in the Master of Public Health program, placed in all three regional Three Minute Thesis competitions with his research titled, “Improving Hispanic Family Caregiver Projects.”
- First Place — Boise State University Competition
- First Place — Idaho Statewide Competition
- Second Place — Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS)
Proven Success
+5000
in awards earned each year
+200
contestants since 2016
+12
university and statewide winners since 2016
An Academic Tradition
The University of Queensland hosted the first Three Minute Thesis competition in 2008. Today, over 900 universities in more than 85 countries hold the competition. Boise State University introduced the competition in the spring of 2016, featuring 15 student presenters and three winners. In the spring of 2019, Idaho launched its statewide competition, where Boise State frequently competes for first place.
Prepare To Compete
Learn more about how the Graduate Student Success Center can help you prepare for 3MT®, format your thesis or dissertation, and polish your writing skills.