The premise of the 3MT Competition sounds simple: participants are challenged to present their research in an engaging manner to a general audience in just three minutes. They can use a single, static slide to help illustrate their work, but no additional props or visuals are permitted. While the concept seems straightforward enough, it actually requires exceptional communication skills to distill complex, technical research down to its essence, making it accessible and compelling for everyone.
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) was originally developed by the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. 3MT competitions are currently held at over 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide. The winner of RIT’s 3MT Competition will advance to the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) Regional 3MT Competition in Spring 2025.
RIT PhD programs have experienced tremendous growth in recent years. Today, nearly 500 PhD students across 13 doctoral programs are engaged in groundbreaking research alongside faculty mentors. Understanding this advanced and technical research can be challenging for those of us outside these fields - that’s where the 3MT Competition comes in!
By honing their ability to articulate complex ideas in everyday language, RIT PhD students gain confidence and are empowered to broaden the impact of their work by fostering critical thinking and encouraging dialogue that may pave the way for interdisciplinary collaboration.
And let’s not forget the prizes!
- First Prize: $1,500
- Runner-Up: $750
- People’s Choice: $250 - Sponsored by the Eugene H. Fram Chair in Applied Critical Thinking
Mark your calendars for the 2024 3MT Finals on Monday, November 4th, at 5 PM in the Wegmans Theater. Whether you’re presenting as a finalist or cheering on the competitors, it promises to be an inspiring event!
For more information about the RIT 3MT Competition, visit the website: Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition | RIT Graduate School | RIT.
About the author
Christie is the Assistant Dean of the RIT Graduate School, a role she has held since May 2023. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, her expertise spans academic advising, career services, curriculum management, and program administration. Before becoming Assistant Dean, she served as Assistant Director for Combined Accelerated Programs, where she supported students transitioning from undergraduate to graduate study. Christie has been with RIT since 2015, starting as the Student Services Coordinator in the Mechanical Engineering department, and she holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Education.