Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) celebrates the exciting research and scholarship conducted by graduate students around the world. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), the competition allows students to share their work with a broad audience. 3MT promotes students’ academic and professional communication skills. Presenting a 3MT increases students' capacity to explain their scholarship while engaging (and entertaining) a general audience. All of this with personal presence and one PowerPoint® slide. Please visit the UQ website, linked below for additional information and resources.
- Competition Rules:
- Competitor Guide:
- Event Resources:
- Frequently Asked Questions:
Competitors have the opportunity to win cash prizes. The first place winner will take home $750, the second place winner $500, and the third place winner $250. Competitors can also win a People's Choice Award of $250, a Most Improved Speaker Award of $150, an Alumni Choice Award of $250, and a Center ICE Award of $250.
3MT Event: 2024-2025 Academic Year
- Preliminary Heats Competition: February 13th, 2025, via Zoom
- Finals Competition: February 20th, 2025, in the Schaible Auditorium
- WAGS Competition: March 16th-19th, 2025, in Denver, CO
If you have any questions about this event, please reach out to Maddie Chetty (mlchetty@alaska.edu).
Previous Years Competitions
Congratulations to our academic year 2023-2024 winners!
1st Place: Marcus Cogley, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
2nd Place: Daryl Schaffer, College of Business and Security Management
3rd Place: Nora Mclntyre, College of Liberal Arts
UAF Alumni Association Prize: Marcus Cogley, College of Natural Science and Mathematics
People's Choice Award: Ryan Oeste, College of Natural Science and Mathematics
Most Improved Speaker Award: Nora Mclntyre, College of Liberal Arts
In 2023-2024 our students competed by in-person in front of a live audience. The event was streamed.
Congratulations to our academic year 2022-2023 winners!
1st Place: Aaron Salzman, College of Liberal Arts
2nd Place: Emily Stidham, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
3rd Place: Victor Devaux-Chupin, College of Natural Science and Mathematics
UAF Alumni Association Prize: Victor Devaux-Chupin, College of Natural Science and Mathematics
People's Choice Award: Victor Devaux-Chupin, College of Natural Science and Mathematics
Most Improved Speaker Award:Emily Stidham, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
In 2022-2023 our students competed by in-person in front of a live audience. The event was streamed.
Congratulations to our academic year 2021-2022 winners!
1st Place: Kelsey Frazier, College of Engineering and Mines
2nd Place: Russ Vanderlugt, College of Liberal Arts
3rd Place: Lindsey Stadler, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
UAF Alumni Association Prize: Kelsey Frazier, College of Engineering and Mines
People's Choice Award: Muradur Rashedin, College of Engineering and Mines
Center ICE Award: Muradur Rashedin, College of Engineering and Mines
In 2021-2022 our students competed virtually via Zoom. The recordings from this event
are linked below.
3MT at UAF
The UAF Communication Center of the Department of Communication will again offer a
series of workshops for students to develop and practice their presentation and story-telling
skills for this year's competition. These workshops can be attended in person at Gruening 507 or.
The Pillars of Your 3MT
Explore the fundamental pillars of the 3MT by analyzing competitive entries and making connections to your research
Thursday, September 7, 1-2 p.m.
Participants will work in small groups to sketch their research story into the 3MT formula.
Thursday, September 14, 1-2 p.m.
Participants will learn to present their research in a storytelling format.
Thursday, September 21, 1-2 p.m.
Participants will focus on their visions presentation and work in small groups to draft their static slide for use during competition.
Thursday, September 28, 1-2 p.m.
This workshop focuses on the fundamental aspects of delivery on Zoom.
Thursday, October 5, 1-2.p.m.
Participants will have an opportunity to practice their 3MTs in an environment that mimics competition day. They will receive feedback from judges to promote continuous improvement.
Thursday, October 12, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Students compete in the Colleges and Schools Heats by Zoom on the afternoon of Thursday
February 13th, 2025, beginning at 3pm. Start time may be adjusted, depending on number
of participants.
Travel Support will be available for students who need to travel to Fairbanks for the finals. An in-person reception will follow the final to celebrate all participants.