The Graduate Center (TGC) in partnership with the Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship (OCF) is hosting a special adaptation of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition open to all full-time graduate and professional degree-seeking students from WashU.

 Adapted for She Leads Symposium @ WashU, 3MT® presentations should be focused around design, sustainability, and/or environmental impact as this year’s She Leads theme is WashU’s local and global impact at the intersection of design and the environment (built and natural).

Apply Here

Eligibility Requirements

  • Graduate and professional degree students at WashU enrolled in a full-time graduate degree program at the time of entry into the competition and at the time of the symposium.
  • Able to deliver a 3MT® presentation focused on the thematic area specified.
  • Available, if chosen as a finalist, to present in person on Friday, October 23, Knight Center Dining Room, Knight Center, between 9 am-12:00 pm.

Entering the Competition and the Selection Process

  • Eligible students use the online entry form to submit a 3-minute video (at regular speed) and one static PowerPoint slide explaining their research on a topic.
  • Submissions must meet all rules and presentation requirements. Failure to meet the specified guidelines will result in disqualification.
  • Following the close of the submission period, all entries will be evaluated for eligibility.
  • Note: Video should be recorded and submitted at regular speed.

Judging Criteria (Comprehension and Content, Engagement, and Communication

Presentations should include:

  • clear background and significance to the research question
  • clear positionality of the presenter to the research and the research approach
  • clear description of the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
  • clear description of the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research
  • clear oration and appropriate language for a non-specialist audience
  • well-defined PowerPoint slide that enhances the presentation
  • presenter enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

Finalists, Live Competition, and Winning Prizes

Awards will be judged based on submitted videos. However, students selected as finalists will present their work in a live adapted 3MT® on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the She Leads Symposium @ WashU (Knight Center Dining Room, Knight Center, Danforth Campus).

First place winner will receive a prize of $1,000; second place winner will receive $750; third place winner will receive $500. Prizes are subject to U.S. tax withholding.

Timeline

September 30, 2026: Deadline to submit 3-minute video

October 12, 2026: Finalists notified

October 16, 2026, 3-4 pm: Walk through/rehearsal of live presentation

October 23, 2026: Live presentation of research at She Leads Symposium @WashuU (between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.). Winners announced.

Resources

Recording and Submitting a Video

  • Virtual competition rules
  • Please incorporate your single PowerPoint Slide into your 3-minute video.
  • Ensure phones and tablets are turned onto their side so the video is filmed horizontally not vertically.
  • Dark environments impact the overall quality of your video because cameras do not perform well in dim lighting. Ensuring you are well lit guarantees the camera and therefore, your audience, can see you clearly. Look for a room that has lots of natural light. If you are using light from a window, ensure you are facing towards the window so light falls on you directly.
  • When filming your video, ensure you choose a very quiet environment where you have as much control over the sound as possible. Be aware of any audible interruptions you don’t have control over such as airplanes, cars, etc.
  • Aim for a clean, plain wall as your background, completely free of visual distractions from the waist up where you will be framing your shot.
  • Be aware of your eye movement. Maintain eye contact with the camera lens as though it were a person in the audience watching you present live.
  • You may share your video as a file upload attached to your application or you can share an unpublished YouTube or Vimeo link. For any questions, please contact jessica.weldon@wustl.edu.
  • Video should be recorded at regular (1.0) speed.
  • Not sure how to upload?

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland, Australia.