Published February 23, 2022
On March 4, UB will be hosting its sixth annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, which highlights the skills and knowledge of PhD students while stressing the importance of good communication.
You can think of 3MT as an elevator pitch — one where students get the opportunity to inform people about the research they are doing.
This year, organizers will livestream the competition, enabling audience members to watch the event live as contestants pitch on a stage. The event begins at 3 p.m.
“Communicating the importance of one’s research can be challenging. But, in today’s world, it is critical, says Elizabeth Colucci, assistant dean for graduate professional development. “If research is going to have an impact on the broader world, it must be communicated clearly. This competition challenges doctoral students to learn this important skill. We look forward to hearing about the incredible research happening at UB by our doctoral students.”
In order to be eligible, participants must be current UB PhD students who are doing their dissertation research. Presentations must be related to their research, as well as their degree program.
The rules are pretty simple: Contestants have up to 3 minutes to pitch their research, using a PowerPoint slide to display any necessary information. Nothing else is allowed, and if a participant uses more than 3 minutes, they are disqualified.
After participants wrap up their talks, they are judged based on their communication style, the audience’s comprehension of their research, and engagement with the audience.
The contestant who comes in first place receives $1,000, while the second- and third-place participants receive $750 and $500, respectively. During the competition, viewers are able to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award. The winner of this award will receive $250.
The participants of the 2022 3MT competition:
The UB 3MT competition is co-hosted by the Graduate School and Blackstone LaunchPad at UB. The event is sponsored by the Innovation Hub powered by UB's Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships.