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Shaheen 3MT®

Spring 2023

About 3MT^®

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT^® ) competition celebrates the exciting research being conducted by graduate students. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), the exercise cultivates student’s academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. The first 3MT^® competition was held at University of Queensland (UQ) in 2008 with 160 research higher degree students competing. In 2009 and 2010, the 3MT^® competition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew. Since 2011 the popularity of the competition has increased and 3MT^® competitions are now held in over 600 universities across more than 65 countries worldwide.

This is Notre Dame's sixth year conducting the 3MT^® event, and the second year in which all graduate students are encouraged to participate. 

Why Participate?

Skills development

The exercise develops academic, presentation and research communication skills, while developing the students ability to effectively explain their research in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Networking Opportunities

3MT® participants will have an opportunity to meet new students, faculty and staff within the University as well as finalists have benefited from invitations to a variety of networking events following their participation in the competition.

Fostering Intellectual Community

The 3MT® competition provides a valuable opportunity for all graduate students to come together, get to know one another, and talk about their research.

Representing the University of Notre Dame

3MT® finalists have benefited from invitations to a variety of public events following their participation in the competition.

Prizes

Prizes are an important incentive for individuals entering the competition. Judges will determine 1st and 2nd place prizes for the competition and the audience will vote on a People’s Choice Award. First & second place winners will not be eligible for People’s Choice Award. The following prizes will be awarded:

Stages of Competition

Qualifications 

In the first round of competition, students will compete within divisions: Engineering, Science, Arts & Letters / Keough. The top 3 contestants from each division will compete in the final competition.

Final Competition

The final competition will take place on Wednesday, March 1. The highest scoring finals participant who has passed their candidacy exams will have the option to compete at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) competition in (Location TBD) on (TBD), the ACC Competition in (TBD), and potentially the national competition in (TBD). If you have questions on candidacy eligibility, please see page 32 of the Graduate School Bulletin.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled master’s and doctoral students are eligible to participate. Work presented must have been conducted at the University of Notre Dame. Returning participant presentations must be substantially different from previous presentations. All participants must attend one informational session to compete in the qualification round.

Three Minute Countdown

Students will be able to see a two-way clock that will display a countdown for three minutes and the timer will buzz at the end of three minutes. Going over the allotted three minutes results in automatic disqualification from the competition.

Rules

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. The slide 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.
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and participants exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
• Presentations are to commence from the stage.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
• Please submit a single static slide for your presentation to Professional Development (gprofdev@nd.edu) by 11:59 p.m. EST on (Date TBD) for the qualification round and by 11:59 p.m. EST on ( Date TBD) for the final round.
• After all slides have been submitted, presentation order will be generated at random.

Judging Panel

• Qualifying Heats will include three to five judges.
• Final Event will include five judges.

Judging Criteria

At every level of the competition each participant will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.

Comprehension & Content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, key results and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
• 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?

Engagement & Communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience’s attention?
• Did the presenter have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation – was it clear, legible, and concise?

Professional Development Opportunities                           

To view previous University of Notre Dame 3MT Competition finals videos, go to the Notre Dame Graduate School YouTube page

Presenter Center Consultations hosted by the Writing Center

• Schedule online
• Create an account and then click on the Presenter Center and/or 3MT drop down calendar.
• 30-45 minute feedback sessions.
• If you don't see a calendar time that works for you, please email the Writing Center.

Graduate Career Services Consultations

Schedule a consultation with your respective Graduate Career Consultant for guidance in preparation, mock presentations, and general feedback of your presentation

• Arts & Letters: Tom Meyers
• Engineering: Christian Lehman
• Science: Ryan Kristofek
• Professional Master’s Programs: Erik Oswald

Distilling Your Scholarly Research in a 3MT® Format Consultations

• 30-minute feedback sessions.
• Please email gradgrants@nd.edu to make an appointment with a graduate fellowship consultant.

One Button Studio – Virtual Coaching for 3MT®

• Located in Hesburgh Library, you can record yourself and review it.
• Consultations are also available for feedback. See included handout in participant packet.

Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Guidelines

• The 3MT^® presentation must represent the original research of the participant.
• The authors of the 3MT^® presentation will retain all rights regarding its use at all times prior to and following the competition except as stated below.
• Due to the nature of the competition, we will not ask judges, reviewers, staff or the audience to agree to or sign non-disclosure statements for any participant.
• All public sessions of the competition, including but not limited to oral presentations, are open to the public at large. Any and all of these public sessions may be broadcast to interested persons through media which may include the Internet.
• Any data or information discussed or divulged in public sessions by entrants should be considered information that will likely enter the public realm, and entrants should not assume any right of confidentiality in any data or information discussed, divulged or presented in these sessions. This means, if your research includes commercial-in- confidence or culturally sensitive material you should think very carefully about how you can 

For questions, please email Mary Ann McDowell, Associate Dean for Professional Development.

Char Brecevic Wins 2021 Notre Dame Graduate School Shaheen 3MT^® Competition

Char Brecevic, a Ph.D. student from the History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) Program, won the 2021 Notre Dame Graduate School Shaheen Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®) on Wednesday, October 13^th on the stage in Carey Auditorium in the Hesburgh Library..

Read more

2021 Shaheen 3MT^® Winner videos:

1st Place – Char Brecevic

2nd Place – Ola Abdalsalam

3rd Place – People's Choice Winner, Kathleen Hayes