John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
Stanford University is set to host its first 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition this spring, an event organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE). Applications for participation open on December 2 and close on January 19.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our graduate students to step into the spotlight and showcase their research in a fun and dynamic way,” stated Stacey Bent, vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs. She emphasized the importance of communicating scholarly knowledge across all areas of study, especially to lay audiences. “By expressing their complex research in clear, compelling narratives, they are developing critical skills that will serve them well into the future. We can’t wait to see the creativity and passion our graduate students bring to the stage.”
The competition aims to enhance students' academic, presentation, and communication skills by requiring them to explain their research effectively to a non-specialist audience. The first-place winner will receive $5,000; second place $3,000; third place $1,000; and a people’s choice award will offer $500.
Scheduled for April 17, the event will be emceed by President Jonathan Levin with judges including Provost Jenny Martinez; Condoleezza Rice from the Hoover Institution; Martin Shell, vice president and chief external relations officer; and Howard Wolf from Stanford Alumni Association.
Participants are allowed only spoken-word presentations with one static slide. Judging criteria include clarity of explanation, engagement level for nonspecialists, and enthusiasm conveyed about their subject matter.
Eligibility extends to current Stanford graduate students who have advanced to candidacy by fall quarter's start. Submissions require a video presentation no longer than three minutes based on original dissertation research. Finalists will be selected by February 17 after initial judging within disciplinary clusters.
Finalists will receive personalized coaching in scholarship communication along with a professionally produced video of their talk. Tiffany Lieuw from VPGE highlighted that the competition provides a unique platform for interdisciplinary scholarship elevation.
“What graduate students are studying can be very niche, and this is a great opportunity to connect with scholars from across the seven schools and really define your research,” Lieuw commented. “Especially for the finalists, you get a lot of professional development opportunities to hone your craft in a way that’s explainable and accessible to a general audience.”
Open to public attendance from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., April 17 at Hauck Auditorium in Traitel Building, it concludes with a reception and awards ceremony. Prospective participants can register for informational workshops scheduled on December 3 or January 16 at noon.
For more details contact: 3minutethesis@stanford.edu
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