- Audiences
- Interests
- Keywords
- Types
- Departments
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Department of American Studies
- Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures
- Department of Cinematic Arts
- Department of Communication Studies
- Department of French and Italian
- Department of Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies
- Department of German
- Department of History
- Department of Linguistics
- Department of Philosophy
- Department of Spanish and Portuguese
- Department of Theatre Arts
- Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
- Graduate College
- Obermann Center
- Office of the Vice President for Research
- School of Art, Art History, and Design
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- School of Music
Obermann Humanities 3MT Competition
Sep 27, 2019
04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Iowa City Public Library, Room A
123 South Linn Street, Iowa City, IA 52240

On Friday, September 27, from 4:00–5:30 p.m. at the Iowa City Public Library (Room A), the Obermann Center will host a Humanities Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, especially designed to feature the work of UI humanities graduate students. The 3MT competition challenges graduate students to articulate their complex research clearly and concisely to non-specialist audiences; the goal of presenters is to present their research in three minutes or fewer. The winner of the Obermann Humanities 3MT will receive $250 and will directly advance to the final, campus-wide competition held on November 15, 2019.
We have 15 presenter slots available. Sign up at http://bit.ly/OC-3MT. The first 15 people to register will be accepted and notified. We will also maintain a waiting list.
Obermann Humanities 3MT participants may or may not choose to participate in the campus-wide 3MT contest (10/18-11/15). The winner of the Obermann Humanities 3MT, however, will advance to and be required to participate in the UI Finals on November 15.
We'll also be hosting a preparatory workshop at the Obermann Center on Friday, September 20, from 3:00–4:30 p.m. for any humanities graduate students interested in learning how to present their research to non-specialist audiences.
Eligibility
To compete in the Obermann Center's Humanities 3MT competition, participants must be currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD degree program that requires the student to conduct their own research in one of the following departments/units:
- African American Studies
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Art & Art History
- Asian & Slavic Languages & Literatures
- Cinematic Arts
- Classics
- Communication Studies
- English as a Second Language
- English
- French & Italian
- Gender, Women's, & and Sexuality Studies
- German Department
- History Department
- Journalism & Mass Communication
- Linguistics
- Music
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Spanish & Portuguese
- Theatre Arts
- World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures
- Competition Rules
The standard rules for 3MT competitions are as follows:
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No animations, transitions, or sound effects.
- No additional media or props. No laser pointers.
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes.
- Presentations are to be spoken word.
- Time starts when a presenter begins speaking.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact in advance at