Three Minute Thesis Competition

Eligibility

The CRWAD 3MT® competition will be limited to 20 presenters. Students are eligible to participate if they are registered attendees of CRWAD and are currently enrolled in a thesis, dissertation, or other culminating research program at the time of the completion. Graduates and students who have successfully completed their final thesis/dissertation defense are not eligible to participate. A highly competitive candidate should have a well-conceived research program, a novel and compelling story about its relevance and impact, and results available to describe. Students who have advanced beyond the initial phases of their research program will be given preference. Students are eligible to enter both the CRWAD 3MT® competition and the competition for research abstract presentations.

Awards and Prizes

It depends on how many people enter the competition – up to twenty 3MT® presentation slots will be available. Students’ advisors (or another designated person such as a Department Chair, etc) will be asked to pay a $50 entry fee for each student which will be matched by the CRWAD Executive Council to create the prize fund for the 3MT® Competition.* Additionally, CRWAD attendees will have the option to donate additional funds at the time of registration for the 3MT® competition prizes.

• First Place: Up to $1,000 (or 50% of the prize fund)
• Second Place: Up to $500 (or 25% of the prize fund)
• Third Place: Up to $300 (or 15% of the prize fund)
• People’s Choice Award: Up to $200 (or 10% of the prize fund)**

* Students or advisors can contact CRWAD at the time of entry if paying this entry fee will create a financial hardship.
** Students may win this coveted award in addition to one of the awards listed above. Voting by attendees will take place live immediately after the presentations.

Rules

• The 3MT® competition will be limited to 20 presenters. Students who have advanced beyond the initial phases of their research program will be given preference. Previous winners of the CRWAD 3MT® competition are not eligible.
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed in the PowerPoint. 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., laser pointers, costumes, theatrical makeup, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum, and competitors 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, but it is not required to stand behind a podium.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decisions of the adjudicating panel are final.

Judging Criteria

Comprehension and Content:

• The presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question.
• The presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research.
• The presentation discussed the student’s whole research program rather than a single experiment or project.
• The presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research program.

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.