Two professional colleagues shaking hands during a graduation or award presentation ceremony indoors
WSU Vancouver

3-Minute Thesis Contest

Master the Art of Research Communication

The Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) at WSU Vancouver challenges doctoral students to consolidate their complex research into a compelling presentation for a nontechnical audience. Participants must explain their academic discovery and its significance in just 180 seconds using a single static slide. This competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by graduate students while fostering their ability to communicate effectively with the public and stakeholders.

While master’s students are encouraged to participate in the local event to sharpen their professional skills, only doctoral candidates are eligible to advance to the university-wide finals. The top presenter from the Vancouver campus moves forward to compete against finalists from across the system for significant travel awards. This serves as an invaluable opportunity for researchers to gain visibility and secure funding for future conference presentations.

Competition Details and Registration

The Challenge: Clearly present your doctoral thesis to a nontechnical lay audience in three minutes or less.

  • Location: Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110.
  • Finals: Awardees advance to the system-wide competition in Pullman at the Veterinary Biomedical Research Building.
  • Rules: Review the Official 3MT Competition Guidelines for slide requirements and judging criteria.

Travel Awards

The top three winners from the final competition receive funding to support travel to a research conference:

  • First place: $3,000
  • Second place: $1,500
  • Third place: $500

How to Register

To participate in the Vancouver competition, email Holly Davis at holly.davis@wsu.edu with your full name and presentation title. Registered presenters must submit their final presentation slide as a PDF to the same address by the designated deadline.

Questions?

Christine Portfors, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education
Email: portfors@wsu.edu
Phone: 360-546-9254
Holly Davis
Assistant to the Vice Chancellor of Research and Graduate Education
Email: holly.davis@wsu.edu
Phone: 360-546-9247
Kayly Lembke, Ph.D.
Proposal Coordinator
Email: kayly.lembke@wsu.edu
Phone: 360-546-9298
Anne Johnson, left, and Ryan Wagner

2026 Vancouver Awardees

First place: Ryan Wagner, Ph.D. student in biological sciences

  • Presentation: “The Last Frog and Rebuilding the Jenga Tower”
Ryan Wagner, left, Christine Portfors and Zoe Templin

2025 Vancouver Awardees

First place: Ryan Wagner, Ph.D. student in biological sciences

  • Presentation: “A Plague of Frogs”

Second place: Zoe Templin, Ph.D. student in electrical engineering

  • Presentation: “The Bridge between Biological Synapses and Electronic Synapses”