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Three-Minute Thesis Competition

Saint Louis University will host two Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) competitions for master’s and doctoral students. 

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and master’s students. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. In addition, the competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a nonspecialist audience. This year's SLU competition will be in person.

The first 3MT competition was held at UQ in 2008, with 160 research higher degree students competing. In 2009 and 2010, the 3MT competition was promoted in Australian and New Zealand universities, and a multinational event was developed, with an inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT competition being held at UQ in 2010. Since 2011, the concept of cultivating students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills has increased, and 3MT competitions are now held in more than 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled Ph.D., professional doctorate (research), and master’s candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the presentation date are eligible to participate in the 3MT competition.

Rules

  • One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted.
  • Slide dimensions must be 16:9 aspect ratio to fit the height and width ratio of wide-screen PowerPoint Display.
  • Slide transitions, animations, or ‘movement’ of any description of the slide content are prohibited.
  • 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., notecards, scripts, pointers, costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to three minutes (3:00) maximum, and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations should be executed from a stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter begins through movement or speech.
  • Submissions will be judged on comprehension, content, engagement and communication. The decision of the judging panel is final.

2027 3MT Competition Dates

Participants should arrive to the competitions at 4 p.m.; competitions will run from 5 - 7 p.m., in Anheuser Busch Auditorium in Cook Hall.

  • Master’s competition: Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2027
  • Doctoral competition: Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2027

The 3MT is open to current SLU master’s and doctoral students who have successfully passed their confirmation milestones (including thesis or dissertations under submission) by the presentation date.

There will be a first, second and third place winner from both master’s and Ph.D. students.

First place: $750 (the first-place Ph.D winner will have the opportunity to compete and represent SLU in the regional 3MT competition held during the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) conference in Kansas City in March 2027).

Second place: $500

Third place: $250


The 3MT application is open now and will close on Feb. 5, 2027. No late applications will be accepted.

If you have questions, contact Graduate Education at: graduateeducation@slu.edu

Apply for the 3MT