3MT - Three Minute Thesis

Competition

Professional Development - with a twist!

In Spring 2025, the College of Graduate Studies will host its first 3MT - Three Minute Thesis competition. Students from all APSU graduate programs will compete to see who can best present their specialized research to a general audience - in less than three minutes!

What is 3MT?

3MT is a global public speaking phenomenon, like a "Ted Talk," but for graduate student theses. The format and contest originated at the University of Queensland in Australia, but is now held at registered universities across the world - now including APSU. There are unique limits to a 3MT: presenters have only three minutes and one slide! Some examples of 3MT presentations by students at another graduate school in Tennessee (UT Knoxville) can be found here.

Who can compete?

APSU graduate students who have graduated or will be graduating in August 2024, December 2024, or May 2025 can compete. Presentations can be made in person or remotely, live via Zoom. All 3MTs must be of completed scholarship or creative work - not projects in progress.

When and where will it be held?

APSU's 3MT Finals will begin at 10:30 Friday, April 4, 2025 in MUC 307. We will have coffee, tea, and juice for those arriving early.

How can I compete?

Your name, A number, and date of graduation.
Indicate whether you will present in-person or remotely, via Zoom.
A one-sentence statement of approval from your Graduate Program Coordinator.
Title your email "3MT Competition Registration".

*Note: a qualifying round may be held to determine finalists.

More information:

Eligibility

Participants: currently enrolled graduate students or students who earned a graduate degree in the current Academic Year. For the April 4, 2025 contest, this includes graduates from August 2024, December 2024, and May 2025.
Subject matter: original scholarship developed as a graduate student at APSU, including work for theses and dissertations, but also other graduate coursework. For example, research for a term paper, fieldwork, clinical research, creative works, etc.
Registration: Complete registration due to gradstudies@apsu.edu fourteen days prior to the competition (March 21, 2025). Visual aids in the form of one MS PowerPoint slide are due seven days prior to the competition (March 28, 2025).

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.
No recorded presentations. Presentations may be made in person or remotely via Zoom.
The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

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 PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation.
The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.

Prize

1^st Place: $1500 travel scholarship for professional development

Spending of the funds will require the money to be moved to an academic department. These funds must be spent within one year of the award and approved by a faculty advisor.

APSU COGS 3MT Subcommittee: Dr. Wes Atkinson, Dr. Benita Bruster, Dr. Mollie Cashner, Dr. David Earnest, Dr. Valerie Leake, Dr. Andrea Lee. Questions and queries can be sent to Dr. Wes Atkinson: atkinsonr@apsu.edu