2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
Watch the Livestream Here—link to come.
Big Ideas. 3 Minutes. One Slide.
Join us and watch the 3-Minute Thesis Showdown (3MT). A competition that challenges doctoral students to present their research in just three minutes using one static slide and language the layperson can understand. It’s a fast-paced, university-wide competition celebrating clarity, creativity, and the art of making research accessible. For audience members, the competition is an entertaining, fast-paced way to discover fascinating ideas and learn something new with every presentation.
The First Place winner will be GW’s nominee for the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) 3MT Competition in April.
Preliminary Round
A one-round competition across three days, in which a panel of judges will select the top competitors to advance to the finals.
- Dates:
- Monday, February 9th at 2:00 pm
- Tuesday, February 10th at 2:00 pm
- Wednesday, February 11th at 2:00 pm
- Location: University Student Center Room 311
Open to the public. Limited audience space available.
Finalists will be announced on Friday, February 13th.
Final Round and Reception
The selected finalists will compete live in front of an audience for cash prizes up to $1,000, campus prestige, and the title of GW's Top Scholar Communicator.
- Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 2:00 pm
- Location: University Student Center Amphitheater, 3rd Floor
- Reception to follow with light appetizers
Open to the public and live-streamed. The Live-stream link will be posted on this page closer to the event.
Please refer to the Competitor's Resource Page for more information.
Questions? Contact Hillary Hughes at oga
gwu [dot] edu (oga[at]gwu[dot]edu)
2025 First Place Winner Natalie Boyle
This event will be photographed and live-streamed. If you have questions or concerns about privacy, please contact event organizer Hillary Hughes at ogagwu [dot] edu (oga[at]gwu[dot]edu)
*Cash prizes may be subject to taxation