WMU 3MT Competition
THE THREE MINUTE THESIS (3MT®) CELEBRATES THE EXCITING RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY STUDENTS AROUND THE WORLD. DEVELOPED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND (UQ), THE COMPETITION CULTIVATES STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC, PRESENTATION, AND RESEARCH COMMUNICATION SKILLS. PRESENTING IN A 3MT COMPETITION INCREASES THEIR CAPACITY TO EFFECTIVELY EXPLAIN THEIR RESEARCH IN THREE MINUTES, IN A LANGUAGE APPROPRIATE TO A NON-SPECIALIST AUDIENCE. COMPETITORS ARE ALLOWED ONE POWERPOINT SLIDE, BUT NO OTHER RESOURCES OR PROPS. THE FIRST 3MT COMPETITION WAS HELD AT UQ IN 2008 WITH 160 HIGHER DEGREE BY RESEARCH STUDENTS COMPETING. SINCE 2011, THE POPULARITY OF THE COMPETITION HAS INCREASED AND 3MT COMPETITIONS ARE NOW HELD IN OVER 600 UNIVERSITIES AND INSTITUTIONS ACROSS 65 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE.
IN OUR VERSION OF THE 3MT COMPETITION AT WMU, THE GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION INVITES GRADUATE STUDENTS FROM ALL DISCIPLINES TO APPLY TO PRESENT THEIR RESEARCH IDEAS, THESES, AND DISSERTATIONS. WITH THIS ACTIVITY, THE GSA IS SEEKING TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROFESSIONALLY DEVELOP THEIR RESEARCH SKILLS AND PRESENTATION SKILLS. IN ADDITION, GSA ASPIRES TO PROMOTE AND SHOWCASE THE RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY GRADUATE STUDENTS HERE AT WMU.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Fall 2018
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
12-1:30 p.m.
Rooms 208-209 Bernhard Center
Spring 2019
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
12-1:30 p.m.
Rooms 208-209 Bernhard Center
HOW CAN I APPLY?
Before submitting an application, please review the Selection Criteria and Judging Criteria.
After reviewing the various criteria, applications can be submitted by going to the 3MT Application Form. Submissions will be reviewed by the 3MT Committee and Director of Professional Development. Notification of selection to present at the 3MT Competition will vary depending on semester, however, will typically be 1-2 weeks before the date of the event. At least 10 presenters will be selected to present at each 3MT Competition.
WHO SELECTS THE WINNERS?
A panel of judges, consisting of faculty, staff, and students, will select 3 winners from the group of presenters, whom will be awarded a scholarship in the following amounts: $500 for first place; $300 for second place, and $200 for third place. In addition, there will be a people's choice award; a scholarship, that may vary semester by semester, given to the student who receives the most votes from the audience. Finally, the student with the highest score from both the fall and spring competition will have the opportunity to compete and represent Western at the regional contest and beyond.
Scholarships will be deposited into student accounts before they are transferred to your personal account via direct deposit or a check. This procedure is subjected to all University regulations regarding transfers.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
All WMU registered graduate students (full or part time), professional students in Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Extended University Programs, and terminal or specialist degree programs may apply. However, only graduate students who are registered at WMU on site either main, East or Parkview campuses are eligible to receive the scholarships.
WHO CAN ATTEND THE EVENT?
The 3MT Competition is open to the public (students, staff, faculty, community members, etc.). All attendees will be entered into a raffle with the chance to win surprise prizes throughout the event. In the event that seating is limited, priority will be given to graduate students presenting and their guests.
QUESTIONS?
For further information regarding the 3MT Competition, times/dates, location, or general questions, please email the Director of Professional Development at @email.
PAST 3MT PRESENTATIONS
Fall 2018-1st Place: David Sottile
Risky Choices in a Wheel of Fortune Game
Expanding the 3MT Competition to 20 presentations!
Spring 2018-1st Place: Tanya Petrachkova
The Role of Cyclin B1 in Early Development
The Spring 2018 presentations showcase the growth of the 3MT Competition!
Fall 2017-1st Place: Shreya Naseri
Why is Amazon the Leading Logistics Ascendant in the USA?
The Fall 2017 presentations and pictures are a great way to re-experience the 3MT Competition!
Spring 2017-1st Place: De'Lon Dixon
The Passive Effects of the Full Gateway on Vehicle Speed
Fall 2016-1st Place: George Lluberes
Political Corruption in Latin America
Spring 2016-1st Place: Sandino Vargas-Perez
A Hybrid Parallel Strategy to Compress Big Next-Generation Sequencing Datasets
Fall 2015-1st Place: Tiantian Zhang
Genetically Engineered Tanapoxivirus Expressing Interleukin-2 Suppresses Human Melanoma Tumors