Register now for 3MT 2025

See you at the 3MT Event!

One thesis. Three minutes. Three cash prizes.

The Marquette University Graduate School will host its sixth annual Three Minute Thesis competition (3MT®) on Feb. 21, 2025, at 4 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium. This is a valuable opportunity for Marquette graduate students to practice their presentation skills, especially being able to pitch an involved research project in three minutes or less. Deadline to register to participate in the event is Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 5 p.m.

What is 3MT?

The Three Minute Thesis is a global research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland in Australia. The competition is open to all master’s and doctoral students enrolled in a program that contains an original research project. The degree program need not formally require a thesis or dissertation, but the presentation topic must cover the original research project.

Learning how to develop and deliver a research pitch to a lay audience is an important set of skills all researchers should know. Developing these skills allows the researcher to effectively communicate the significance and impact of the research to a broader public, potentially leading to increased understanding, support for of the research, funding opportunities, and wider societal applications of the findings.

Contestants will be judged by a panel of judges for a preliminary round (in mid-February) and finalists will be judged at the 3MT finals on February 21, 2025, by a panel of judges made of up scholars and leaders from the community.

Learn more about 3MT

For more information, please see the  Competitor Guide, or reach out to Melissa Econom.

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Eligibility, Participation and Prizes

Eligibility:

  • Students must be enrolled at Marquette University during the spring semester of 2024 in a doctoral or master's thesis program.
  • A student’s program of study must contain an original research project.  The degree program need not formally require a thesis or dissertation; however, the presentation topic must cover the original research project.
  • Prize winners from previous competitions are not eligible to compete. 

Participation:

  • Registered participants must schedule/attend at least one appointment (in person or virtual) with staff from The MIC Speakers Lab between Jan. 27 and Feb. 14, 2024.
  • Registered participants must compete in one preliminary qualifying round.
  • Eight to 10 finalists will be chosen by the judges to compete in the final round.

Prizes:

Two prizes will be awarded by a panel of judges.

  • First Place: $500 cash award and ticket to the Marquette suite at the Fiserv Forum to attend the Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 7 p.m.
  • Runner-up: $250 cash award and ticket to the Marquette suite at the Fiserv Forum to attend the Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 7 p.m.
  • People's Choice (selected by popular vote of the audience): $250 cash award and ticket to the Marquette suite at the Fiserv Forum to attend the Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 7 p.m.

The 3MT® first place recipient will move on to represent Marquette University at the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools 3MT® regional competition. The runner-up will be selected to compete if the first-place winner is unable to compete.

Participant Rules

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or "movement" of any description is allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) is permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three 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.

Prep, Practice and Present: Key Dates


Preliminary Qualifying Round Dates

When: Held the week of Feb. 10-14, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Participants will compete in one preliminary qualifying round. Judges will provide written feedback to each participant. Eight to 10 finalists will be chosen by the judges to compete in the 3MT final round.


Final Round!

3MT® Final Round Event

When: Feb. 21, 2025. All finalist videos will be posted online.

 

Registration is open. See you at the 3MT Event!