3MT Micro-Credential: Communicating Research to Broad Audiences
Launched in the fall of 2021, the 3MT micro-credential Communicating Research to Broad Audiences is an optional resource intended to help graduate students interested in participating in the Three Minute Thesis competition.
Participants will learn how to articulate strategies and techniques to communicate graduate-level research to a non-specialist audience. Upon completing the micro-credential, participants will have prepared a three-minute pitch about their own research and developed an effective, supporting PowerPoint slide and reviewing past winners.
To successfully complete the micro-credential, participants must complete four modules, review previous 3-Minute Thesis competition winners, and upload their own 3-Minute presentation by the due dates described below.
All graduate students in all disciplines are eligible to participate.
Part 1: Four Modules
Upon registering for the micro-credential, participants will receive an email from Brightspace that they have been enrolled in the micro-credential. There are a total of of four modules, which should be completed in sequential order. Upon completion of each module, participants will receive access to the next module. In each module, participants will be required to watch a video and complete the corresponding assignment.
Module 1: Communicating to a Non-Specialist Audience; Module 2: Pitch + Presence; Module 3: Data Visualization; Module 4: Presentation Zen
All modules must be completed to be eligible to participate in Part 2: The Three Minute Pitch.
Part 2: Ready, Set, PITCH!
Participants will be required to watch and evaluate pitches from other graduate students. Participants will then record their own three minute pitch, using one static slide. The three minute presentation is the final evidence for the micro-credential.
Pitch presentations and the corresponding PowerPoint slide must be submitted by Friday, January 31, 2025.
Students who successfully complete four modules and the Peer Pitch by the prescribed due dates will earn the Three Minute Thesis: Communicating Research to Broad Audiences micro-credential.
Advanced doctoral students who complete the Three Minute Thesis: Communicating Research to Broad Audiences micro-credential and participate in the 3MT competition can earn the Three Minute Thesis: Advanced Practitioner digital badge in the spring semester.