Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland. The exercise challenges graduate students to present a compelling oration on their thesis topic and its significance in just three minutes. 3MT® develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills and supports the development of research students' capacity to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Master's and Doctoral students enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill from departments/programs that The Graduate School administers are welcome to register and participate.

The ideal 3MT® participant will have, by the date of the presentation: A thesis/dissertation topic that has been agreed upon by them and their advisor, the central thesis and basic structure to their project already determined. Additionally, it would be advantageous for competitors to have at least some preliminary results or work completed.

The 3MT® competition is open to the public at large. Any data or information discussed should be considered public. Judges and staff involved in the competition will not be required to sign non-disclosure statements. It is the responsibility of every competitor to discuss with their advisor the content of their 3MT® presentation BEFORE committing to present. By participating in the 3MT® competition, you agree to be recorded.

See complete rules and judging criteria.

Registration deadline EXTENDED to Friday, Oct. 13.

The top 10 presenters will be selected by a panel of judges and notified after the preliminary rounds are complete of their status to participate in the Final Competition on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 4-5pm as part of University Research Week.

Both the preliminary rounds and the Final Competition will be held live and in-person. Video recordings of presentations will not be accepted.