Three Minute Thesis

 

 

The University of Utah has historically conducted the 3MT program during the Spring semester in accordance with the WAGS deadline to nominate 3MT winners from participating regional schools. To bring the U's 3MT competition cycle into alignment with WAGS' deadline, going forward, the 3MT competition will be held in Fall semesters, beginning with the Fall 2025 term. Please stay tuned for further information and application opportunities for graduate students!

What is 3MT?

The 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) program is designed to help students develop the communication skills necessary to make a compelling oral presentation on the value and impact of their research to a non-specialist audience.

As a research communication competition, the goal of 3MT is for students to articulate the significance of their research without using:

• Jargon
• Field-specific terminology
• Other language unfamiliar to those outside their fields of study

3MT training helps students hone their ability to quickly and effectively articulate the value of their research.  This skill-set is critical in many academic settings, whether communicating with collaborators, funding agencies, or trainees. Just as important, the communication skills learned in 3MT training are transferable and valued in many non-academic careers paths.

The Graduate School and the Career and Professional Development Center collaborate to offer training and sponsor a University of Utah 3MT competition.  In addition to prizes at our local event, the winner goes on to represent the U at the Western Association of Graduate Schools competition!

History

In 2008 the University of Queensland in Australia held the first official 3MT competition with 160 competitors in that first year.  More recently, the 3MT program has spread to over 85 participating countries worldwide.  The University of Utah began holding a 3MT competition in 2013.