Idaho graduate students to compete in next month’s statewide Three Minute Thesis competition

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Next month, graduate students from the state’s three public research institutions will present their research during Idaho’s seventh statewide Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. This is University of Idaho’s seventh time hosting the event.

The 3MT competition will be held from 2-4 p.m. Mountain time Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Bennion Student Union Building at U of I Idaho Falls and livestreamed at uidaho.edu/cogs/3mt-state. Media representatives are welcome to attend in person.

Four graduate students from each of the research institutions — U of I, Boise State University and Idaho State University — who placed at their university’s event will compete in the statewide competition. In just three minutes or fewer, the 12 students will showcase their research to a panel of judges and a live audience.

Abbey Rode, a U of I psychology master’s student at the time, placed first in last year’s statewide 3MT competition and was invited to attend the regional competition.

“The 3MT competition encouraged me to make my research understandable to those in my field and those outside of it as well, which has benefited me at conferences, professional events and interviews,” Rode said. “The one thing that I will carry forward with me is the importance of science communication, specifically in short formats, like the 3MT.”

Founded by the University of Queensland in 2008, 3MT events are designed to develop graduate students’ academic, presentation and research communication skills and enhance students’ ability to explain their research to a non-specialist audience. The events are now held at more than 900 universities in over 85 countries.

The panel of judges at next month’s statewide 3MT event will decide who will win first, second and third place, and the audience will vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Media Contact

Alissa Korsak
Marketing & Communications Manager
University of Idaho Boise
208-771-0821