Graduate School to host the first annual Three Minute Thesis, Feb. 24

The Three Minute Thesis is a global research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland in Australia. This is an academic competition for doctoral and master’s degree students completing a dissertation or thesis. Take the opportunity to develop your presentation and research communication skills by explaining your research effectively in three minutes to a general audience and a panel of judges. Interested participants must be enrolled during the spring semester of 2017 and must compete in a preliminary qualifying round. Eight to 10 finalists will be chosen by the judges to compete in the final round. Prizes will be awarded to the winner, runner-up and people’s choice winner. The 3MT® winner will move on to represent Marquette University in a 3MT® regional competition at the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools in Indiana, April 6-7, 2017. Travel and accommodations will be sponsored by the Graduate School. If the winner is unable to attend, the runner-up will be selected to attend. To view 3MT® winners from around the globe, visit the 3MT® website.

REGISTRATION INFO

Deadline: Online registration is now open.

Registrants’ informational meetings:  The week of Jan. 23: Registrants will be notified of their scheduled preliminary qualifying date and time. A presentation will be given on presentation skills and public speaking. Logistical information about the overall process, including media coverage, will be discussed. All registrants must submit a single, static PowerPoint slide of their presentation by Monday, Jan. 30, to mugs@marquette.edu.

Preliminary qualifying round dates:  Friday, Feb. 3, and Friday, Feb. 10 (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.). Participants will compete in these preliminary qualifying rounds. Judges will provide verbal feedback to each participant. Eight to 10 finalists will be chosen by the judges to compete in the 3MT® final round.

3MT® final round event: Friday, Feb. 24,  in the Weasler Auditorium from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Rules and guidelines

• Students must be enrolled at Marquette University in a doctoral or master’s degree program
• The program of study must require a dissertation or thesis
• Students must be enrolled during the spring semester of 2017

Participant 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 three minutes 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.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Questions? Contact the Graduate School at (414) 288-7137 or by email at mugs@marquette.edu. For more information about Three Minute Thesis, go online.