Three- Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition

What would it take to distill your research into a compelling three-minute presentation? Can you capture an audience’s attention without relying on academic jargon? Is it possible for a single slide to reflect the depth and rigor of your work? The answer is yes — through 3MT!
University of Rhode Island’s annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition challenges graduate students to refine their research communication skills by presenting their research to a broad audience in just three minutes, using one static slide. 3MT provides recognition, cash prizes ($1,000 – 1st Place, $500
for Runner Up and Audience Favorite), and helps sharpen participants’ ability to convey complex research in clear, engaging, and jargon-free style.
3MT offers valuable opportunities for professional growth, enhances job-market readiness, and fosters cross-disciplinary connections. Interested in learning more or taking part? Email Cara Mitnick at cmitnick@uri.edu.
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au
Congratulations to the 2025 3MT winners!
FIRST PLACE WINNER
$1,000

Katherine Overstrum
MS, Biological & Environmental Sciences
“Can You Scare Plants?”
RUNNER-UP WINNER
$500

Retno Wulan Septiani
PhD, Environmental Engineering
“Monitoring Carbon the Coastal Waters through Satellite”
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER
$500

Ololade Gbadebo
PhD, Pharmaceutical Sciences
“Membrane Vesicles as Courier Agents for Bacterial Communication and Antibiotic Delivery”
2025 3MT winner video presentations coming soon!
Here are our 2025 3MT finalists!
- Derek Dubois, Operations and Supply Chain Management, PhD
- Evelyn A. Mensah, College of Health Sciences, PhD
- Retno Wulan Septiani, Environmental Engineering, PhD
- Katherine Overstrum, Biological and Environmental Sciences, MS
- Shubham Chomal, Industrial and Systems Engineering, MS
- Olivia Thomakos, English and Creative Writing, PhD
- Ololade Gbadebo, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PhD
- Sonia Refulio-Coronado, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, PhD
- Md Abdullah al Rumon, Electrical Engineering, (Biomedical Focus), PhD
- Carolyn Hirshon, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, PhD
How can you create your video? So, you are not a professional videographer or haven’t done something like this before? Your video can be as high tech or low tech as you want to go. Videos can be created simply using a smartphone, or in a more professional manner. Please note: competitors *will not* be judged on video/ recording quality or editing capabilities (optional inclusions). Judging will focus on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience, and 3MT PowerPoint slide. For the first round, see this rubric for judging criteria Please note: competitors *will not* be judged on video/ recording quality or editing capabilities (optional inclusions). Judging will focus on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience, and 3MT PowerPoint slide. Events coming soon!3MT Timeline & Prizes
2025-2026 Timeline
Prizes
Video Submission
How will I prepare and submit my first round video?
Video Submission
Judging Criteria
How will I be judged?
Comprehension & Content
Engagement & Communication
Resources
Internal URI Resources
3MT resources
Model Presentations
Other Resources
Upcoming 3MT Events
Previous 3MT Winners
2024 3MT Winners
FIRST PLACE WINNER, 2024
Sarah Davis
Ph.D. Biological & Environmental Sciences
View Sarah’s 3MT PresentationRUNNER-UP WINNER, 2024
Md Abdullah al Rumon
Ph.D. Electrical Engineering
View Md Adbullah’s 3MT Presentation