The Three Minute Thesis/Dissertation-Revised (3MT®) competition originated at a time when the state of Queensland in Australia was suffering a severe drought. To conserve water, residents were encouraged to time their showers, and many people had a three-minute egg timer fixed to the wall in their bathroom. The Dean of the University of Queensland (UQ) Graduate School at that time, Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson, put two and two together and the idea for the 3MT® competition was born: to challenge grad students to describe their research in three minutes or less to a general audience for the purpose of cultivating graduate students’ research communication skills.
The first 3MT® competition was held at the University of Queensland in 2008 with 160 students competing. In 2009 and 2010 the 3MT® competition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew. Due to its adoption in numerous universities, a multi-national event was developed, and the Inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT® competition was held at UQ in 2010. The competition kept on growing. Today, over 900 institutions across more than 80 countries around the world hold 3MT® competitions.
An 80,000-word thesis or dissertation would take 9 hours to present. Your time limit...3 minutes.
2025/26 3MT® UNIVERSITY-WIDE COMPETITION AWARDS
Ayushi Das
Charis Stanek
Dr. Chenyang Wei
Dr. Andrew Perry
Congratulations to our 2026 3MT finalists
These finalists competed at the 3MT University-Wide Competition event on Feb 4, where we selected the university finalist who will move on to compete at the regional level. We also selected 1st adn 2nd place winners of the postdoctoral scholars competition.
- Danica Matovic of the Department of Neuroscience – “Brain Circuits and Temperature Regulation.”
- Jason A. Christman of the College of Optometry – “The Leaky Pipe of U.S. Vision Care.”
- Cameryn Cooley of the Department of Psychology – “Black Americans’ Perceptions of Cognitive Change Strategies.”
- Ayushi Das of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology – “Pancreatic Cancer and Its Deathly Hallows.”
- Min Hai of the Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, – “Dose Like a Master Chef.”
- Cheng‑Yu Hung of the Fisher College of Business – “The No‑Choice Option in Conjoint Analysis.”
- Opal Moore of the Division of Environmental Health Sciences – “Quantity Over Quality: How Low‑Cost Sensors Can Be Beneficial in Underserved Communities.”
- Md Nayem Hasan Munna of the School of Environment and Natural Resources – “Same Soil. Different Futures.”
- Zoe Phillips of the Department of Physics – “Integration of Molecular Qubits into 2D Heterostructures for All‑Electrical Readout.”
- Elenore Rimmerman of IGP Biophysics – “ Vascular Visions: Novel Imaging in Peripheral Artery Disease.”
- Charis Stanek of the College of Social Work – “‘For Me, They Were a Strength’: How College Students Make Meaning of Their Mental Illnesses.”
- Srinivasan Subramaniyan of Electrical and Computer Engineering – “Correlation‑Aware Scheduling for Minimizing Capital Expenses.”
- Ahmad Ilderim Tokey of the Department of Geography – “How Exposed Are You? Risk in What You Can Access.”
Postdoctoral Scholars Finalist
- Tomaz Neves Garcia, PhD of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry – “What if Capturing CO₂ Could Power Clean Hydrogen?”
- Andrew Perry, PhD of the Department of Educational Studies – “An Examination of How Community College Matriculation and Transfer Relates to the Motivation and Self‑Regulated Learning of First‑Generation College Students.”
- Chenyang Wei, PhD of the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology – “Space Birding: AI Meets Community Science.”
Registration for the 6th Annual 3MT® at The Ohio State University
Registration Form for 3MT Participation
Registration will open on October 12, 2026
Registrations will be accepted from October 12, 2026, through November 2, 2026, for invited 2026 Hayes winners (graduate professional students conducting their own research) as well as graduate students (conducting their own research) from colleges that do not hold a college-wide 3MT® competition.
In addition, the 3MT® will include a Three Minute Thesis/Dissertation postdoctoral scholar (3MTpd) competition, dedicated to the 2026 Hayes Forum postdoctoral scholars' winners competing for 1st and 2nd place 3MTpd. Postdoctoral scholars are not eligible to move on to the regional, national or international level, as per the University of Queensland guidelines. These levels are reserved solely for graduate students.
At The Ohio State University (OSU), in addition to the annual 3MT® competition, the 3MTpd creates an opportunity for postdoctoral scholars to:
- develop strong presentation skills for academic and professional settings
- develop research communication abilities
- enhance public speaking skills
- develop the capacity to effectively explain complex research to a wide audience
- develop the ability to communicate their research clearly, concisely and competently
The 3MT® and the 3MTpd are prestigious research competitions that give graduate students and postdoctoral scholars an opportunity to present their research to a non-expert audience and showcase the work they are conducting.
Important: Winners of college-level 3MT® competitions will automatically be invited to participate in the final Ohio State University 3MT® competition on February 3, 2027.
Graduate students from colleges that do not hold a college-wide 3MT® competition, as well as winners of the 2026 Hayes Forum, are eligible to participate in Ohio State's 3MT® competition. Participants from these groups may register using the instructions below and will first compete in an asynchronous video-based competition. Up to 10 finalists will advance to the live, university-wide competition alongside the college 3MT® winners.
The Graduate School will also host the 3MTpd competition, giving the 2026 Hayes Forum postdoctoral scholars' winners an opportunity to participate in 3MT®. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will choose up to 6 postdoctoral scholars to compete in the live final 3MTpd competition along with the finalists for the 3MT® competition.
Important: Graduate students will compete among each other (other graduate students) and postdoctoral scholars will compete among each other (other postdoctoral scholars).
Eligibility
3MT®
Graduate students in good standing with the Graduate School, including master's, PhD, or professional doctorate students, are eligible to compete in The Ohio State University Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition. Doctoral students may compete at any stage of their doctoral studies, including before or after completing their candidacy/comprehensive examinations and during the dissertation phase. Master's students should generally be in their second year and have made substantial progress on their thesis, capstone project, or other independent research.
Participants must present research they are actively pursuing as part of their graduate program.
3MTpd
Participation reminder
3MT® and 3MTpd
Successful 3MT® and 3MTpd competitors can clearly communicate their research to a broad audience. Participants should be actively engaged in their research and prepared to discuss:
- The purpose and goals of their research project
- Their research approach, methods, and key findings
- The significance of their work and its potential impact or real-world applications
The most compelling presentations demonstrate both a strong understanding of the research and the ability to explain its importance in a clear, engaging, and accessible way.
Eligibility Note
3MTpd
Awards
3MT®
- Winner: $500.00
- Runner-up: $400.00
- People’s Choice: $500.00
3MTpd
- Winner: $500.00
- Runner-up: $400.00
Competition Rules
- A single static PowerPoint 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. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, rap, songs, etc.).
- Presentations are to commence from the stage (or designated area in front of their PowerPoint static slide).
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
- Do not turn to or point at your single static PowerPoint during your presentation
Judging Criteria
Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars will be assessed using the judging criteria listed in the 3MT® Competition Rubric. Each criterion is equally weighted.
Important: The judging panel's decisions at any stage are final.
3MT® Competition-Rubric
3MT® Competition Rubric - Click for rubric criteria
The Three Minute Thesis competition is graded on a point system based on four levels of criteria of performance across 11 categories.
Four Performance Levels
- Beginning - Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
Eleven Performance Criteria
- Presenter provides an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed, while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon.
- Presenter clearly describes the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes.
- Presenter follows a clear and logical sequence.
- The topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes are communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
- The presenter spent adequate time on each element of their presentation.
- The oration makes the audience want to know more.
- The presenter was careful to not trivialize or generalize their research.
- The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research.
- The presenter captured and maintained their audience's attention.
- The presenter has sufficient stage presence (eye contact and vocal range, maintains a steady pace, and has a confident stance).
- The PowerPoint slide enhanced the presentation – it was clear, legible, and concise.
Sample Panelist Scoring Rubric
Student Name:
Date:
Reviewer’s Name:
Part A: Comprehension and content
Presenter provides an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed, while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon.
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
Presenter clearly describes the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes.
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
Presenter follows a clear and logical sequence.
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
The topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes are communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
The presenter spent adequate time on each element of their presentation.
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
Part B: Engagement and communication
The oration makes the audience want to know more.
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
The presenter was careful to not trivialize or generalize their research.
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research.
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
The presenter captured and maintained their audience's attention.
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
The presenter has sufficient stage presence (eye contact and vocal range, maintains a steady pace, and has a confident stance).
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
The PowerPoint slide enhanced the presentation – it was clear, legible, and concise.
- Basic 1.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting a beginning level
- Developing - 2.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting development and movement toward mastery
- Accomplished - 3.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting mastery
- Exemplary - 4.00 Points
- Identifiable knowledge and skills reflecting the highest level
For questions regarding the 3MT process at Ohio State University or to receive a copy of the actual scoring rubric by email, please contact Karin Jordan: jordan.1193@osu.edu
PowerPoint Template
Please use the PowerPoint below for your final competition slide.
Graduate School Ohio State Branded PowerPoint Template
Asynchronous Video Competition Guidelines
The following guidelines apply to the asynchronous video competition for graduate students from colleges that do not hold a college-wide 3MT® competition, as well as invited Hayes Forum graduate student and postdoctoral scholar winners.
- Record horizontally
- Record from a static position
- Record from one camera angle
- Display your single static PowerPoint – any other background should be plain
- Audio must be continuous and understandable – Please no sound edits
- All recordings must be submitted in an MP4 format
Important: Video recordings are not judged on video quality or editing capabilities. The judging panel will use the Rating Rubric (see link above) focusing on the student presentation. Judging will focus on the presentation, communicating their research to a non-specialist audience, and the single static PowerPoint slide.
Things to Remember
- Review the rubric above so you know what your presentation and single static PowerPoint slide will be evaluated on.
- If you want to see how the 3MT® and 3MTpd are done, see what others have done; search the internet for past 3MT® competitor videos. Be sure to review their single static PowerPoint slide. Also feel free to reference the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) website for additional guidance and watch Ohio State’s 2025 3MT® 1st place winner, Andrew Mitchell's, video.
- Make sure you provide information about the background of the research question you are going to address and its significance in your presentation.
- Be clear in reporting the key result(s) (even if you presently have only preliminary results) and the significance of your research, and identify the conclusions/implications.
- Make sure your presentation is structured logically and clearly.
- Remember that you are presenting to a non-specialist audience. Provide an adequate background, avoid professional/scientific jargon and/or abbreviations and define terminology.
- Grab the audience’s attention early on; make them want to know more.
- Be aware not to minimize or overgeneralize your results (get mentor feedback).
- Convey your passion and enthusiasm about your research (verbally and non-verbally).
- Get feedback from your advisors and others about your stage presence. Are you engaging, enthusiastic, making eye contact, keeping a steady pace, and using a vocal range?
- Be confident; this is your research study. You know this information well.
- Assure that the single static PowerPoint slide enhances your presentation. Is it clear, legible and not text-heavy? It should not include complicated graphs that can distract your audience. (Remember, less is more). Are the graphics clear?
- Practice, Practice, Practice, so you can present your information with confidence and ease (no note cards are allowed).
- Stay within your 3-minute time limit.
Sample Presentations
2025 Ohio State University 1st place winning presentation
View MAGS 3MT presentations on their website
View 3MT presentations on the University of Queensland's 3MT website
2026-27 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Dates
3MT®/3MTpd Workshop
October 15, 2026, 1:00 p.m. -2:30 p.m. - Event details and registration
Registration for the Asynchronous Video 3MT® Competition
October 12, 2026, through November 2, 2026 - Link to Registration
All applicants are to connect with Dr Jordan, after which they can submit their materials.
3MT® and 3MTpd Videos and single static PowerPoint slide Deadline
November 13, 2026, through December 11, 2026
Once ready to submit your video and slide for the Three Minute Thesis, please upload your video (should be in MP4 format) clip and single slide to a OneDrive folder and create a shared link with “University Wide” permissions.
Office 365 Info on Uploading to One Drive
OTDI Resources information about OneDrive
If you have questions about uploading your video or need technical assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk by calling 614-688-4357, emailing servicedesk@osu.edu, or submitting a self-service ticket through the IT Help and Support website.
To finalize your submission, visit the video and single slide submission portal below in Qualtrics to submit your OneDrive link.
Video Single Slide Submission Portal
Asynchronous Video 3MT® and Selected 3MTpd Finalist Notification
By or before January 15, 2027
Deadline for Submitting Individual College Competition Finalist
Jan. 22, 2027
Colleges should submit their college finalist information to Dr Karin Jordan at Jordan.1193@osu.edu
Note on College-Wide Competitions
College-wide competitions can be held any time in the Fall term or the first few weeks of the Spring term - it is the College’s Choice.
Deadline for All* Finalist Slide Submissions
January 25, 2027
*This includes college competition finalists and asynchronous video competition finalists for the 3MT® and all selected 3MTpd finalists.
Note: Each student and postdoctoral scholar is responsible for sending to Dr. Jordan at Jordan.1193@osu.edu:
- final single static slide
- presentation title
- graduate student/post doc name
- department name
- Advisor’s name and email
send to: Dr. Karin Jordan at jordan.1193@osu.edu
3MT® and 3MTpd University-Wide In-Person Competition
February 3, 2027 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
U.S. Bank Conference Theater, Student Union - In-Person Only Event
Register to Attend In-Person Event
(Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars participants do not need to register.)
2026-27 3MT® Competition Process
3MT®
Phase 1: 3MT® and 3MTpd Training
Graduate students interested in participating in their College-wide 3MT® competition should participate in the workshop and online resources provided in the autumn semester to hone their three-minute research pitch. The workshop and resources include topics such as:
- Single static PowerPoint slide
- Developing your presentation
- Your public speaking skills (oration)
Phase 2: 3MT® and 3MTpd Participation in Preliminary Competition
There are three ways that graduate (master’s and doctoral level) and professional students can get involved and participate in The Ohio State University 3MT® research competition
Option 1
- College-wide competition
Note: College-wide competitions can be held any time in the autumn semester or the first few weeks of the spring semester - it is the college’s choice.
Option 2
- Individual Student (Self Nomination) Video Competition – only for students in colleges that do not host a college-wide competition
Option 3
- 2026 Hayes Forum graduate student (regardless of whether their home college holding/or not hold a college-wide 3MT competition) asynchronous Video Competition – by invitation of the Graduate School
Registration and Pre-Competition Format for Graduate Students in Option 2 and 3
Open call to Ohio State master’s and/or doctoral students (Option 2) and the Graduate School invitees, 2026 Hayes winners (Option 3), who are conducting their own research, to complete a 3MT® registration form between October 12, 2026, and November 2, 2026, via Qualtrics. Submit your 3MT® video and single static PowerPoint slide via Qualtrics between November 13, 2026, and December 11, 2026, for the asynchronous 3MT® competition. A selection committee will select up to 10 student finalists to advance to Phase 3.
3MTpd
During this 1st year, there is one way that postdoctoral scholars can get involved and participate in The Ohio State University 3MTpd distinguished research competition:
- 2026 Hayes Forum postdoctoral scholars' winners who have been selected by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs – by invitation
- Up to 6 postdoctoral scholars' finalists will be selected to compete in the 1st 3MTpd to advance to Phase 3.
Important: The graduate student’s faculty advisor(s) must approve of their participation in the competition. The faculty advisor/mentor/principle investigator/supervisor of the postdoctoral scholar must approve of their participation in the competition.
Phase 3: Final round - In-person format
The final round will be in-person and include the (1) College-wide Competition finalists and up to 10 finalists from the (2) individual graduate student (self-nomination) video competition, and (3) 2026 Hayes Forum graduate student winners video competition, which will compete against other graduate students in the in-person, university-wide 3MT® Competition.
In addition, up to 6 finalists from the 2026 Hayes Forum postdoctoral scholars' winners will compete against postdoctoral scholars in the in-person, university-wide 3MT® competition.
This event is scheduled for February 3, 2027. A committee of judges will select one first-place winner and one runner-up for both the 3MT® and the 3MTpd. The audience will vote for the People’s Choice Winner for the 3MT® (graduate students only).
3MT® and 3MTpd winners (1st place, runner -up, and People’s Choice winners will be recognized at the Graduate School’s annual award ceremony in April.
IMPORTANT: The graduate student first-place 3MT® winner will advance to Phase 4. (Postdoctoral scholars are not eligible to advance.)
Phase 4: Regional - In-person format
The first-place 3MT® winner will move on to compete in person at the regional level at the Mid-Western Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) competition in March 2027 at their annual conference.
The winners of the regional competitions are invited to compete in the national competition hosted by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS).
Important: The Graduate School will register the university-wide 3MT® winner with MAGS. However, travel and hotel registration, as well as the cost to attend and compete at the regional MAGS conference and, if successful, the national CGS conference, are covered by either the student’s department or the student’s college.
- 3MT Competitor Guide by The University of Queensland (2017)
- 3MT Single Slide Design
- 3MT Slide design 3MT - Slide Design - Part 3/5
- 3MT: The Three Most Common Mistakes, a video featuring Inger Mewburn, director of research training at Australian National University
- Tips and Techniques for more Confident and Compelling Presentations, by Matt Abrahams, Stanford University
- How to Write a Winning 3MT Script 3 minute thesis template-free download - Google Search
- 3MT: Three Tips to Help You Prepare a Winning Presentation, video featuring Rosanna Stevens, 2014 winner of the Australian National University 3MT competition.
- How to Talk about Your Thesis in Three Minutes, a Prezi presentation by Inger Mewburn (2012).
- Winning Tips for Preparing a Three-Minute Thesis Presentation, video by Sean McGraw
Still Have Questions?
Assistant Dean Karin Jordan
jordan.1193@osu.edu