Developed by the University of Queensland, the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by PhD students by cultivating students’ academic, presentation and research communication skills.

Participants are judged on the ability to effectively convey the essence and importance of their research in an engaging way to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes, with one PowerPoint slide.

The University at Buffalo 3MT Competition is co-hosted by the Graduate School and the Startup and Innovation Collaboratory (CoLab) powered by Blackstone LaunchPad.

Currently enrolled UB doctoral students actively engaged in dissertation research who have been admitted to candidacy are eligible to participate. UB 3MT finalists who competed in previous years are not eligible.

A competitive candidate should have a well-conceived dissertation project, compelling data collected and a novel story to share. The work presented must have been conducted at the University at Buffalo for the student’s current degree program. Participants must be available to present on the day of the competition. All presentations will be videotaped and appear on the Three Minute Thesis website and Graduate School YouTube channel.

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. If material for public use is included on a slide, the reference(s) must be clearly cited on the slide. 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.
• Notes are prohibited during the preliminary competition, dress rehearsal and final competition.
• 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 considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• Decisions made by the adjudicating committee are final.
• There is not a dress code, but professional attire is encouraged.
• It is possible to win more than one category: a place (first, second or third) and win the People’s Choice Award.

Each individual is evaluated in four distinct criteria. The areas of evaluation are:

• Verbal communication: The topic, key results, research significance and outcomes were communicated in language appropriate to the general audience (non-specialist).
• Visual communication: The slide was clear and legible.
• Comprehension: The presentation clearly provided an understanding of the research question, key results and significance.
• Engagement: The presenter was professional, enthusiastic and captured the attention of the audience.

• First place: $2,000
  
• Second place: $1,500
  
• Third place: $1,000
  
• People's Choice Award: $500 (Determined by a viewer vote using a smart device, during the event.)