3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition

The 2023 Columbia University 3MT Competition, co-sponsored by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Coordinated Doctoral Programs in Biomedical Sciences, will be held on February 10, 2023.

Join us for the live event! In-person registration has closed. View the livestream HERE.

Overview

The Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition showcases the research of Columbia’s doctoral student community. Participants are challenged to share their research clearly and effectively with a broad, general audience in just three minutes.

3MT is an entertaining and instructive event that helps doctoral students to develop their presentation and communication skills, which are vital for academic conferences and a variety of careers. Through the competition, participants also have the opportunity to share their work with the Columbia community by presenting in front of an esteemed panel of University and alumni judges and a diverse audience. Please see this article about the 2022 competition.

2023 Competition Information

The 2023 Columbia University 3MT competition will be held Friday, February 10, 2023, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in Low Memorial Library. Cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 will be awarded to the first-place, second-place, and audience-choice winners, respectively.

The in-person event will be followed by a reception. A Zoom livestream is also available.

RSVP HERE!

Application Process

Applications open each fall. All advanced doctoral candidates are invited to apply. Applicants must submit a project title and a concise project description (no more than 1,500 characters). Please write to Rachel Bernard at [email protected] with any questions.

Review Process

1. Completed applications received by the deadline will be reviewed by an internal committee. Applications will be evaluated for clarity of expression and ability to engage a nonspecialist audience.
2. Those selected to continue as semifinalists will be invited to complete a recorded video interview in mid-December.
3. Those selected as finalists will be notified before winter break. Finalists will attend a preparatory workshop in January and must be able to present live at the competition on February 10.

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to advanced doctoral students currently enrolled in their first seven years of any Columbia PhD program. Applicants must have passed relevant milestones, such as a qualifying exam, prospectus defense, and/or MPhil conferral. Graduates are not eligible.

Resources

Consult the resources below as you prepare:

• Official 3MT Competitor Guide from The University of Queensland.
• Research communication techniques and exercises to improve your talk: Finding Your Research Voice: Story Telling and Theatre Skills for Bringing Your Presentation to Life (2019) by Itai Cohen and Melanie Dreyer-Lude.
• Presentation advice from previous winners of the Vitae 3MT® competition by Taylor & Francis Group.
• Scientists as Storytellers Guide from 3M and Communication Fundamentals from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Although these guides are designed for scientists, the principles apply to all disciplines.
• Videos of Humanities PhD finalists in 3MT at University of Amsterdam.