3MT is an international research communication competition in which graduate students explain their research to a general audience. Students in research-based master’s and PhD programs from all disciplines are eligible to compete, and prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Can you explain your research in 3 minutes? Find out by participating in UW–Madison’s 2025-26 3MT competition! As you hone communication skills, you will be better able to expand the benefits of your research beyond the bounds of the university and convey the significance of your work to potential funders, legislators, the media, and more.
Three Minute Thesis® 2025-26
You’re Researching What? Lunch and Prep for the 3MT
This annual event, most recently held on Friday, September 19, 12 – 1:30 pm at
Memorial Union Tripp Commons, helps graduate students from all disciplines to prepare an accessible, intriguing three-minute talk about their research – and prepare to participate in the 3MT® Three-Minute Thesis competition. Lunch and t-shirts are provided. There is no commitment to compete in the 3MT® by attending this event. Registration is required.
3MT Semi-finals Competition
3MT Semi-finals were held on Wednesday, November 5, 4 – 6 pm, at Old Madison Room (Check-in), Memorial Union. The deadline to register has passed (Wednesday, October 22).
Over 80 UW–Madison students in research-based master’s and PhD programs from all disciplines competed. The top few contestants from the semi-finals advanced to the finals.
Finalists selected at semi-finals receive $100 cash prizes; finals winners receive up to $1,000 in cash prizes.
3MT Finals
Friday, February 20, 2026, 10 am – noon
DeLuca Forum, Discovery Building
The top contestants from the semi-finals will compete in UW–Madison’s final 3MT competition of the year. Winners will receive up to $1,000 in cash prizes. The first place winner will also represent UW–Madison at the regional level of competition.
All are welcome to attend as audience members at this event. Registration is not required for the audience.
3MT Semi-finals Winners 2025-2026
Over 80 master’s and doctoral students competed in 3MT Semi-finals in Fall 2025. The following nine were selected by the judges to advance to 3MT Finals in Spring 2026.
Luke Andersen
Master’s student in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Talk title: “Sustainable Solar”
Brenna Bierman
PhD student in Chemistry
Talk title: “From Crystals to Qubits: Topological Superconductors and the Quantum Frontier”
Sahitha Karapitiya
Master’s student in Biological Systems Engineering
Talk title: “Mitigating heat stress in dairy cattle”
Benjamin Lebovitz
Phd student in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis
Talk title: “The power of one supportive adult”
Abdul Basith Mohamed Nasik
Master’s student in Integrative Biology
Talk title: “Finding the Hidden Switches That Control How Cells Grow”
Iris Park
PhD student in Business
Talk title: “What happens when $2,000 in savings becomes clear?”
Jahinaya Parker
PhD student in Industrial and Systems Engineering
Talk title: “Evaluating Human Performance in Automated Vehicles”
Caroline Roach
PhD student in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Talk title: “Bending Over Backwards to Inhibit Chikungunya Virus”
Ebony Taylor
PhD student in Entomology
Talk title: “The Tiniest Mightiest Mangrove Patch: Using Insects to Measure Coastal Forest Health”
Eight students competed in the 3MT Finals Competition on February 14, 2025. To watch the winner’s recorded presentations, click on the title of their talks below.
First Place: Jessamine Kuehn
PhD student in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
“Mind your Gut: Gifts from your Gut Microbes to fight Alzheimer’s Disease”
Second Place: David Skrovanek
PhD student in Electrical and Computer Engineering
“There is no transition without transmission”
Third Place: Ella Aldridge
MS student in Communication Sciences and Disorders
People’s Choice Award: Trinidad Fernandez Wallace
MS student in Dairy Science
“Understanding and Supporting Immune Function in Dairy Cows During the Transition Period”
What to expect when you compete in the 3MT:
-
Three Minute Thesis finalist Raphaëlle David chats with fellow finalist David Skrovanek at the UW–Madison Three Minute Thesis competition on February 14, 2025. Photo by Todd Brown/Media Solutions. Preparation (4 to 7 hours)
- Read the rules, requirements, and judging criteria
- Browse the resources in the Canvas site, which you’ll receive access to after registering
- View example presentations
- Attend or watch the video of the the Writing Center workshop “You’re Researching What? Crafting a 3-Minute Research Talk that Appeals to the Public” – available in Canvas (optional but encouraged)
- Meet with a DesignLab consultant (optional but encouraged)
- Create your slide, develop your presentation, and practice
- Competition (2 to 5 hours)
- Divisional semi-finals
- Finals
Additionally, the winner of the finals will travel to represent UW–Madison at the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) regional 3MT® competition March 25-27 in Kansas City.
For Competitors
- 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) is permitted.
- No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
- Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three 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 judging panel is final.
At every level of the competition, each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted.
Comprehension and content
- Presentation provided clear motivation, background, and significance to the research question
- Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
- Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research
Engagement and communication
- The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
- The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
- The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention
Semi-Final Winners: $100 each
Finals:
- First place: $1,000
- Second place: $750
- Third place: $500
- People’s choice: $500
3MT Communication Badge
Graduate students participating in the 3MT® competition are eligible to earn the UW–Madison Graduate School’s 3MT Communication Badge.
Why earn a digital badge?
A badge demonstrates that you have gone above and beyond academic requirements to acquire specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular area. Badges serve as a visual representation of accomplishments, can enhance your resume or curriculum vitae, and showcase your achievements to prospective employers. Digital badges are easily shareable on social media, personal websites, and professional profiles.
How do I earn the 3MT® Communication Badge?
All semi-finals participants will be evaluated by competition judges on their ability to adapt messages to meet the needs of diverse audiences, create graphics as a communication tool that enhances the message, and demonstrate competence in presentation skills. If judges determine that all of these learning objectives have been met, you will be eligible to earn the badge at no cost to you. Decisions about earning the badge are separate from the judges’ decisions about which competitors advance to finals. The Graduate School will provide additional information about badges.
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. Learn more about the 3MT® at threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au.