We invite you to join us for the 3MT Final Competition on Thursday, November 6, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. in the Alumni House.
In addition to discovering the remarkable scholarship happening at UNCG, you’ll have the chance to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award.
We look forward to seeing you there!
3MT Finalists in Presentation Order (Titles subject to change)
- Darrell Kicker – Geography
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Corey Johnson
County Boundaries and Electoral Integrity - Irfa Habib – Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cheryl Wicker
Between Two Worlds: Where Faith Guides Future Care Decisions - Siddique Gbanha Bawa – Nutrition
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lauren Haldeman
Child Nutrition Outcomes Associated with Fathers’ Metabolic Syndrome and Feeding Practices in Ghana - Praveen Pasupathi – Kinesiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Drollette
Neurocognitive effects of Mindfulness and Exercise on symptoms of Anxiety - Shelby Williford – Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Wilcox
Navigating Extremes in Savannas (NExS) - Victoria Fonville – Nutrition
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maryanne Perrin
Lactation and Human Milk Donation During Perinatal Bereavement - Emmanuel Appiah – Nanoscience
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Suzanne Ahmed
No More Poison. Just Precision. Programming Microgels to Hunt Cancer Cells - Henry S Makinde – Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kyung Yong Kim
Transforming test development with Agentic AI - Henriikka Koivisto – English
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Karen Weyler
The Politics of Flesh and Corporeal Consumption in Horror Fiction and Its Precursors - Samuel Adegoke – Nanoscience
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dennis LaJeunesse
Tiny Particles, Big Impact: Stopping Antibiotic Resistance Before It Starts
What is the 3MT Competition?
The 3MT competition was developed by the University of Queensland, whose website provides the following history of the competition. The idea for the 3MT competition came about at a time when the state of Queensland was suffering severe drought. To conserve water, residents were encouraged to time their showers, and many people had a three minute egg timer fixed to the wall in their bathroom. The then Dean of the UQ Graduate School, Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson, put two and two together and the idea for the 3MT competition was born.
The first 3MT competition was held at UQ in 2008 with 160 Higher Degree by Research students competing. In 2009 and 2010 the 3MT competition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew. Due to its adoption in numerous universities, a multi-national event was developed, and the Inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT competition was held at UQ in 2010. Since 2011, the popularity of the competition has increased and 3MT competitions are now held in over 600 universities and institutions across 65 countries worldwide.
The 2025 3MT Competition
Can you explain your research in just three minutes—with only one PowerPoint slide—in a way anyone can understand what your work is about? That’s the challenge of this high-energy competition, where graduate students bring their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation to life for a non-specialist audience.
It’s all about clarity, creativity, and impact. From the qualifying rounds, around ten standout presenters will advance to the finals, where they’ll deliver their talks live in front of a panel of judges and our community audience.
The stakes? Glory—and cash. First place wins $1,000, second place takes home $500, and the crowd-favorite earns the $250 People’s Choice award. Ready to make your research unforgettable?
- Preliminary Rounds – Wednesday and Thursday, October 29 and 30 at 10:30 -11:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Final Competition – Thursday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Alumni House
why participate?
Fame and fortune
With prizes of $1000 for the winner, $500 for second, and $250 for the People’s Choice, the question is, why not participate? Moreover, the winner advances to a regional competition and a chance to compete on a larger stage.
Skills development for research candidates
Preparing and delivering a 3MT talk develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills, while emphasizing students’ ability to explain their research effectively in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
Building research culture throughout the campus
3MT provides a valuable opportunity for students to come together across disciplinary boundaries, get to know one another, and talk about their research in a supportive and fun environment.
Building external relations for the university
3MT is an excellent networking opportunity. Previous 3MT finalists have made connections that continue beyond the competition.
Judging Criteria
At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the two judging criteria listed below. Please note that each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.
Comprehension and content
- Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question
- Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
- Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research
Engagement and communication
- The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
- The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
- The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention
Rules
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or movement) and 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.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Examples
For examples of winning presentations from around the world, visit https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/watch-3mt.
Registration
Registration for the 2025 3MT Competition at UNCG is now closed.
Logistics
UNCG’s 3MT competition is open to currently enrolled master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation students only. Participation will be limited to the first 60 master’s or doctoral students to register.
Registration for the 2025 3MT Competition is now CLOSED.
UNCG will hold a maximum of four qualifying rounds for approximately 10-15 students each. These qualifying rounds will occur on Wednesday and Thursday, October 29 and 30, from 10:30-11:30 am or 2:30-3:30 pm in the Elliott University Center, Sharpe Room. Participants will be assigned randomly based on their registered availability.
Approximately ten (10) individuals will be selected from the qualifying rounds to participate in the final round. The final round will occur on Thursday, November 6th, from 2:00-3:00 pm in the Alumni House. First place ($1,000), second place ($500), and People’s Choice ($250) winners will be selected and announced at the end of the competition on November 6th. Participants are eligible to win a place award and People’s Choice, which is voted on by the audience.
The first-place winner may accompany a representative of UNCG’s Graduate School to the Council of Southern Graduate School’s annual meeting in Baton Rouge, LA to compete February 18-20, in the conference’s regional 3MT competition. Please note: This is dependent on funding and the number of registrants CSGS will accept. If an individual is sent from UNCG, the Graduate School at UNCG will provide transportation and lodging.
*For First, Second, and People’s Choice Winners: The monetary award will be posted to your University student account. If you have a zero balance when the award posts, the cashier’s office will issue you a refund check for the total amount. If you have a current balance, your award will pay that balance first, and any remaining funds will be issued as a refund check. If you received Federal financial aid in 2025-2026, your loan debt may be reduced by the amount of this award.
Need help preparing your slide or 3-minute presentation?
3MT Competitor Guide
Click here for important information about drafting your message, slide suggestions, and presentation information from the 3MT founding institution, the University of Queensland.
The Communications Lab
The Communication Lab focuses on both speaking and writing, and provides communication support for students, faculty, and staff through one-on-one and group sessions focusing on dialogic feedback. Consulting sessions focus on conversations about writing and speaking processes; these sessions promote a collaborative, non-hierarchal approach that sees consultants who work with writers and speakers as participants in a learner-centered exchange that values shared knowledge. The lab supports all projects regardless of how the writing or speaking will be composed/presented or which digital platforms are used.
Please check TracCloud to schedule an appointment.
Questions? Email us at commlab@uncg.edu or call us at 336.334.3125.
The 2024 3mt competition Winners
First Place & Peoples’ Choice went to:
Stacy Huff, Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sandra Ayoo
Exploring Compassion Fatigue in Program Evaluation
Second Place went to:
Ashley Herring-Nicholas, Nanoscience
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Josephs
The Power of One – CRISPR-Cas precision editing of single nucleotide variants
