Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
Naren Sundararajan, PhD student in Physics, won 3rd place in the Sciences at Brandeis 3MT 2023
Photo Credit: Ayla Cordell
Three Minute Thesis, the competition that challenges students to effectively explain their research to a broad audience in just 3 minutes, had a banner second year at Brandeis University!
The 2023 3MT Competition at Brandeis demonstrated the incredible growth and capacity of GSAS students to hone their academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Read more about this year's final round, students' experiences in the competition, and the 2023 winners here!
Our overall competition winner of Brandeis 3MT 2023, Liz Mahon, continued onto and WON first place in the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) Regional 3MT Competition-- read about her exciting journey here.
This December, Liz will compete in the National 3MT Competition in Washington DC. This will be second time Brandeis is represented at the national level, as Brandeis 3MT 2022 winner Emiliano Gutierrez Popoca, PhD'23 English, competed at the most recent 3MT Nationals in San Francisco.
More information to come, but in the meantime, check out Liz's presentation, Armed Against Alzheimer’s: How Your Voice Could Save Your Mind!
More Information on 3MT at Brandeis
Tips for Success in the Competition
Rules
- Describe your research in under 3 minutes to a panel of judges while using only one slide.
- 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 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are to be spoken word and presented in a formal but engaging lecture-style presentation.
- Presentations are to commence from the stage.
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Judging Criteria
The following criteria will guide the judges decisions:
Comprehension & Content
- Provided clear research question and indicated its background and significance
- Clearly described the research strategy/design
- Clearly described the potential impact of the research and findings or possible conclusions
Engagement & Communication
- Oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
- Slide was well-connected to the presentation and enhanced the presentation
- Presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience's attention