Texas State 3MT®
WHat is 3MT®?
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ) in which graduate students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis / dissertation research and its significance. 3MT® is not an exercise in trivializing or "dumbing-down" research, but instead challenges students to consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.
The first 3MT® was held at UQ in 2008 with 160 students competing. Enthusiasm for the 3MT® concept grew and it has now been adopted by numerous universities around the world. The Graduate College is excited about providing our students the opportunity to participate in the Texas State University 3MT® Competition.
Eligibility
2019 Texas State University 3MT® Competition Eligibility
Graduate students currently enrolled in a Texas State University research Ph.D. or Ed.D. program and master's students on a thesis track are eligible to compete. The presentation must include findings/outcomes of research, i.e., you cannot present your proposal; you must have at least preliminary or pilot study findings. Read more about the presentation rules and judging criteria.
How it works
Students registered by the deadline will receive the time and date of their assigned preliminary group shortly thereafter. Groups will consist of doctoral and master's students. Each group will send the top-scoring doctoral student, top-scoring master's student, overall runner-up, and the people's choice winner to the University Final.
University Final Competition
Awards at the University Final Competition are not categorized by master's or doctoral level, and include first place and runner-up (awarded by judges) and people's choice (awarded by the audience). First place and runner-up can also win the people's choice because the latter is awarded separately by the audience in attendance at the 3MT®.
3MT® Judges
Judges are selected from the Texas State and San Marcos communities. There are three judges for each preliminary round, and five judges for the final. Learn more about judging criteria and presentation rules.
Judges for the Preliminary Rounds are below; there are three judges for each Preliminary Round.
Dr. Angela Ausbrooks | Associate Professor, School of Social Work
Anna Chowdhury | Assistant Director, Vice President for University Advancement
Evy Gonzales | Director, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Daniel Guerrero | Former Mayor, City of San Marcos
Terence Parker | Assistant Director, Retention Management and Planning
Ross Wood | Career Advisor, Career Services
University Final judges
Adriana Cruz | President of the Greater San Marcos Partnership
Dr. Sherri Benn | Assistant Vice President and Director, Student Diversity and Inclusion
Dr. Vedaraman Sriraman | Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dan Eggers | Director, University Marketing
Dr. Margarita Arellano | Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Presentation Prep
Prepare to compete in the 3MT® by:
- watching the Introduction to the 3MT® Shop Talk recording
- reviewing the Introduction to the 3MT PPT
- slide 11: writing your presentation
- slide 12: slide preparation
- slide 13: presentation preparation
- watching videos of past winners
- reviewing the judging criteria and presentation rules
Previous Competitions
Need some inspiration? Watch students present their research in previous Texas State 3MT® Competitions:
- 2018 3MT® Competition
- 2017 3MT® Competition
- 2016 3MT® Competition
- 2015 3MT® Competition
- 2014 3MT® Competition
You can also watch 3MT® winners from competitions at other universities.
The 3MT® was such a rewarding experience because, after spending so much time by myself researching and writing my dissertation, I finally had the opportunity to talk about my work in a way that resonated and connected with others. — Sydney Granger Saumby, 2015 First Place Winner
Questions?
Send us an email at The3mt@txstate.edu or give us a call at 512.245.2581.
If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please contact 512.245.2281 at least 72 hours in advance of the event.
Texas State is a tobacco-free campus.
