Three Minute Thesis

1. A single, static PowerPoint slide is required. No slide transitions or animations are permitted. The slide will be visible throughout the student’s presentation. Examples of presentation slides will be provided to registrants.
2. Students are allowed a single index 3x5” index card for notes, though they are encouraged to present without.
3. No additional electronic media (e.g., sound or video files) are permitted.
4. No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment, pointers) are permitted.
5. Presentations must be held within the three-minute time limit to remain in qualification.
6. Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, rapping, songs, etc.).

Our 3MT Kaltura channel includes short videos about preparing your script and slides:

• Introduction to Elevator Pitches
• Principles of Argumentation and Persuasion
• Three Minute Thesis: Condensing 6 Years of Research into 3 Minutes

 Resources for using Kaltura to record your 3 Minute Thesis presentation:

1. Recording your Screen and Webcam with Kaltura Capture
2. Editing videos using the Kaltura Video Editor
3. Knowledge Base instructions for editing captions in Kaltura

Click here to watch examples of 3MT presentations from around the world.

1. Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
2. Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
3. Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
4. Was the thesis topic, key results and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
5. Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
6. Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

1. Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
2. Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
3. Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
4. Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
5. Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
6. Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

Stipends will be awarded to the top three presentations at the final competition as chosen by a panel of judges and, for the People’s Choice Award, by audience ballot.

Winner: $500

Runner Up: $250

People’s Choice: $250

Students can request an appointment with a career coach via Handshake, or email Trevor Verrot directly.

Questions about IUB’s 3MT competition can be directed to Dr. Katie Kearns.

Check out the #Hoosier3MT submissions for 2023.

• 1^st Place: Nabojit Kar, Alloy Nanoparticles for Sustainable Energy, Chemistry 
• 2^nd Place: Taylor Woodward, Cope without Dope: Stress and the Body's Natural Cannabis-like Chemicals, Neuroscience/Psychology ​
• Peoples’ Choice: Mohammad Azhar Mehfooz, Fighting Bacteria with Gold, Chemistry 

Check out the #Hoosier3MT submissions for 2022.

• 1^st Place: Vic Overdorf​, Queer Alcatraz​, College of Arts and Sciences, Gender Studies​
• 2^nd Place: Ashley Jammel Brooks​, Understanding our Universe​, College of Arts and Sciences, Physics​
• Peoples’ Choice: Bruna Kalil Othero Fernandes​, Brazilian Palimpsest: National Identity in Three Acts​, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Spanish and Portuguese

Check out the #Hoosier3MT submissions for 2021.

• First place: Vishakh Iyer, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, “Improving opioid pain relief while reducing its unwanted side-effects using a cannabinoid drug”
• Second place: Kathryn Michelle Benavidez Westrich, Department of Anthropology, “It takes guts: Hormone-microbe interactions in howler monkeys”
• People’s Choice Award: Amani Gashan, School of Education, Literacy, Culture, and Language Education, “Heritage languages in the United States"