Three Minute Thesis (3MT ®) Competition
Three Minute Thesis (3MT ®) is a research communication competition originally developed by The University of Queensland in 2008 and now has been widely adopted at universities around the world. The exercise challenges master’s and doctoral students to present a compelling talk on their thesis/dissertation topic and its significance. Many theses and dissertations can be over 80,000 words and take hours to present, but students in this competition have just three minutes and one slide to convey their often highly-technical research to a lay audience. Judging criteria is centered on three core competencies:
Communication Style: was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience
Comprehension: did the presentation help the audience understand the research?
Engagement: did the oration make the audience want to know more? Three Minute Thesis (3MT ®) is a research communication competition originally developed For more information and sample videos, visit the 3MT ® website at the University of Queensland.
View VCU 3MT® Competition participants' presentations on VCU Scholars Compass.
2020 VCU 3MT ® Competition Winners
First Place:
Gladys Shaw, Neuroscience - Ph.D.
The Enduring Consequences of Chronic Repeated Stress on Neuro-Metabolic Function
Second Place:
Portia Newman, Education - Ph.D.
Are You a Black Woman? Exploring the Influence of Historical and Sociocultural Assets on Black Women’s Leadership Skills and Practice
Third Place:
William Tharp, History – M.A.
Savage and Bloody Footsteps Through the Valley: The Wyoming Massacre in the American Imagination