Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland which challenges research higher degree students to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance in just three minutes in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

The first 3MT was held at UQ in 2008 with 160 RHD students competing. In 2009 and 2010 the 3MT competition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew. Due to its adoption in numerous universities, a multi-national event was developed, and the Inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT competition was held at UQ in 2010. Since 2011 the popularity of the competition has increased and 3MT competitions are now held in at least 170 universities across more than 17 countries worldwide. In November 2013, the first Universitas 21 (U21) 3MT competition was held with several universities from around the world competing in a virtual competition.

Clemson University's Graduate Student Government and the Graduate School co-hosted Clemson’s first 3MT competition in April 2014 as one of the premier events of the University’s first Research and Innovation Month. Each entrant was judged on delivery and content by a panel of judges that included staff, faculty, and community members. Since, 3MT has expanded to other Clemson campuses, and it has become a traditional event for graduate researchers to give crisp presentations about the innovations happening in the university.

Clemson University 3MT® Competition (2020-2021)

The 2020-2021 3MT® competition at Clemson University was held in two stages – a college level qualifying stage, and a final competition. Twenty-eight participants competed in the final competition that was held virtually on November 20th and streamed on twitch.tv.

PhD Candidate Competition

PhD Student and Masters Student Competition

Clemson University 3MT Competition Previous Winners

2019 - 2020 WINNERS OF 3MT

PhD Candidate Competition

1. Nicholas Gregorich | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
2. Roxana Jafarifiroozabad | Planning, Design, and Built Environment

PhD Student and Masters Student Competition

1. Vishal Thomas | Bioengineering
2. Joel Hamilton | Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences

2018 - 2019 WINNERS OF 3MT

PhD Candidate Competition

1. James Foster | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
2. Vijay Sreedhara | Mechanical Engineering
3. Shubhamkar Kulkarni | Mechanical Engineering

PhD Student and Masters Student Competition

1. Joshua Osuofa | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
2. Roxana Jafarifiroozabadi | Planning, Design, and Built Environment
3. James Sternberg | International Center for Automotive Research

2017 - 2018 WINNERS OF 3MT

PhD Candidate Competition

1. Matthew Flege | International Family and Community Studies
2. Madeline Dowling | Plant and Environmental Sciences
3. Unaiza Uzair | Chemistry

PhD Student and Masters Student Competition

1. Zolian Zoong Lwe | Plant and Environmental Sciences
2. Jaime Idarraga | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
3. Rutali Joshi | Healthcare Architecture

2016 - 2017 WINNERS OF 3MT

1. Guneet Bedi | Electrical Engineering
2. Shakira Hobbs | Electrical Engineering
3. Lauren Garcia Chance | Environmental Toxicology

2015 - 2016 WINNERS OF 3MT

1. Leah Kitashima | Economics
   Qi Zhou | Plant & Environmental Sciences
3. Adam Klett | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
   Roque Gochez | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
   Unaiza Uzair | Chemistry

2014 - 2015 WINNERS OF 3MT

1. Nathan Redding | Plant and Environmental Sciences
   Kellie Walters | Parks, Recreation & Tourism Mgt
3. Vipul Pai Raikar | Bioengineering
   Francesca Stubbins | Entomology
   

2013 - 2014 WINNERS OF 3MT

1. Ashlee Tietje | Biological Sciences
   Namrata Sengupta | Environmental Toxicology
3. Hobey Tam | Bioengineering
   Julian Velez-Guillen | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering