3MT® Competition

Logo for the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition, founded by The University of Queensland

Graduate Students and Faculty

Are you an SFA graduate student? We challenge you to present your research clearly in just three minutes!

Developed for graduate students by The University of Queensland, the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition cultivates academic, presentation and research communication skills, offering you a short, three-minute opportunity to describe your research in a way that’s easy to understand for anyone — whether they’re in your field or not.

This is your chance to build your skills and potentially represent SFA at the regional level!

Past winners

Check out presentation videos of past 3MT® winners.

Information session

Join the Office of Research and Graduate Studies for a virtual 3MT® information session from 1:30 to 3 p.m., Dec. 5 on Zoom!

Register for the information session

You'll learn more about this academic competition and how we can bring it all the way from Queensland, Australia, to Nacogdoches!

Why attend the information session?

  • Learn how 3MT® can build your presentation skills.
  • Improve your ability to communicate your research to nonspecialist and nonacademic audiences.
  • Connect with other graduate students.
  • Discover the benefits of representing SFA in a broader competition — this year, our winner will compete in Dallas!

Important dates

Please make note of the following important dates. We'll discuss deadlines and requirements in our information session.

  • Jan. 24 — Last call for 3MT® sign up (virtual)
  • Jan. 31 — 3MT® competition preparation (in person)
  • Feb. 7 — 3MT® competition (in person)

Eligibility

Contestants must be currently enrolled as a doctoral or master’s student in graduate school.

Prize

The 1st place winner will have travel and admission to the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools covered by the graduate school.

Competition rules

  • Students must submit a PNG copy of their slide by the deadline. Last-minute changes will NOT be accepted.
  • A single static slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. 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. notecards, scripts, pointers, costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to three-minute maximum and competitors exceeding three minutes will be disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs).
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage or in the front of the room.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter begins through movement or speech.
  • The decision of the judging panel is final.
  • Participants should avoid loud noises such as screaming.

Judging criteria

  • According to The University of Queensland guidance, judging panels will consist of three to five judges balanced by age, gender, academic/professional positions, and discipline.
  • Competitors will be evaluated using The University of Queensland judging criteria and rubric. So your student competitor knows how best to prepare and what to expect at CSGS, we encourage your institution to use these criteria and rubric as well.

Learn more

Visit the following resources for additional competition information.