2025 Pitt 3MT Competition Timeline
The 2025 Pitt 3MT Competition is now open to ALL eligible PhD and SJD students.
- February 2024: 3MT preparation workshops
- March 2024: School-level 3MT competitions
- Monday, April 7, 2025: Pitt 3MT Competition
See the winners of Pitt's 2024 3MT Competition
National competitions:
- April 2025: The winner of Pitt’s competition will advance to the virtual 3MT Competition hosted by the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS).
- December 2025: The NAGS winner and runner-up will progress to the Council of Graduate Schools’ national 3MT Competition in December 2025.
This annual event is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and University Library System with support from the University Center for Teaching and Learning.
What is a 3MT competition?
The 3MT competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) students. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
Who is eligible to enter?
PhD and SJD students who have successfully completed the dissertation proposal defense (candidate status) and are actively in the dissertation stage of training are eligible.
School Competitions
As part of the events leading up to the main competition, schools will be hosting their own individual competitions from which they will send finalists (one per school) to compete on April 7.
Presentation Resources
To learn more about the competition history, rules, and to gain valuable preparation tips, visit the official 3MT website.
We are following the 3MT competition rules suggested by the University of Queensland, which founded the event.
Judging Criteria
Check back to see who our distinguished judges will be—and who will hear our competitors talk about their research.
Competitors are assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.
- Comprehension and Content
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- Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
- Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
- Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
- Was the thesis topic, research significance, results/impact, and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
- Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation—or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?
- Engagement and Communication
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- Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
- Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
- Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
- Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience’s attention?
- Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact, and vocal range; maintain a steady pace; and have a confident stance?
- Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation—was it clear, legible, and concise?
For the 2024 competition, our judging panel was composed of three individuals who have accomplished and diversified backgrounds, including two Pitt alumni. The judges were:
- Aaron Brenner, Associate University Librarian for Research and Learning, University of Pittsburgh
- Brendan Connolly, PhD, Swanson School of Engineering Alum and Vice President of Steelmaking Technology, Ellwood Quality Steels
- Tom Link, Katz Graduate School of Business Alum and Chief Development Officer for the Urban Redevelopment Authority
Questions?
Email graduate@pitt.edu.