Temple’s Three-minute Thesis Competition challenges doctoral students to distill complex research into engaging, accessible presentations for a broad audience in just three minutes.

At an R1 research university like Temple University, discovery is constant. But on March 26, doctoral students faced a different challenge: explaining years of complex research in just three minutes. In that moment, it was the storytellers behind the work who took center stage.

Temple’s graduate school hosted its 2026 Three-minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, spotlighting the work of 14 doctoral student finalists from across the university’s 17 schools and colleges. Each finalist earned their place after advancing through college-level competitions or interview processes, culminating in a university-wide showcase of research spanning disciplines from music education and chemistry to education policy, consumer behavior, and media and communication.

Students were tasked with clearly articulating their research focus, the problem they aim to solve and why it matters, all in a way that resonated beyond their specific field. The result was a fast-paced, engaging program that translated cutting-edge scholarship into accessible, real-world impact.

The competition was emceed by Lauren Bullock, associate professor of instruction and director of sports media in Temple’s Klein College of Media and Communication. Throughout the program, Bullock guided the audience through each presentation, offering thoughtful reflections and connecting themes across disciplines.

“To take what you’re interested in and talk about it beyond just your advisor or your family, and to do it in a way that engages people who may not be familiar with your work, is really powerful,” Bullock said. “It’s not just about presenting research. It’s about developing the ability to bring others into the conversation.”

Leading up to the competition, participants took part in a series of professional development workshops, including communication training and mock presentations. The annual 3MT Competition is designed to help doctoral students sharpen their ability to communicate complex ideas clearly while building connections across the university’s research community.

“We’re creating an environment where students can share their work surrounded by their peers, mentors and university leadership,” said Renée Tobin, dean of Temple’s graduate school. “It’s about supporting them at every stage and showcasing the strength of research across Temple.”

Students competed for scholarship awards, with the first-place winner advancing to represent Temple at the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools’ regional 3MT Competition. This year’s judges included university leadership from across disciplines, including Larry Brandolph, vice president for information technology; Josh Gladden, vice president for research; Valerie Harrison, vice president for community impact and civic engagement; and Jennifer Wood, vice provost for faculty affairs.

First place was awarded to Doyoung Kim, ENG ’26, an international student from Incheon, South Korea, for her presentation, Curved Surgical Needles: Why Insertion Strategies Matter, which impressed judges with both its technical depth and clarity of delivery.

“I didn’t expect to win because there were so many great competitors, but when they called my name, I thought, ‘I did it,’” Kim said. “Now I’m representing Temple, and I want to make the most of that opportunity.”

Kim’s research focuses on improving how curved surgical needles are guided through tissue, particularly in procedures where precision is critical and access is limited. By studying how the base of the needle moves, her work aims to improve control and accuracy in minimally invasive surgeries.

Second place went to Kristina Westover, BYR ’26, for her presentation, A Grounded Theory of Secondary School Music Teacher Resilience. The recognition marks Boyer College of Music and Dance’s first win in the competition.

“It was really important to me to share this research because it’s something I care deeply about,” Westover said. “This work is about understanding how teachers navigate challenges and what helps them keep going.”

Westover’s research explores resilience among secondary school music teachers, drawing on interviews with experienced educators to understand how they navigate burnout, emotional exhaustion and long-term sustainability in the profession. Her work aims to identify strategies that can better support and retain music teachers in the field.

A third award, the People’s Choice Award, was presented to Lauren Nutinsky, CLA ’16, EDU ’20, assistant director of academic affairs for the Office of the Provost and current higher education EdD doctoral candidate, for her research, “Understanding First-Generation Liberal Arts Majors’ Career Self-Management: A Narrative Inquiry Study.”

Events like 3MT reflect Temple’s dual commitment to rigorous research and real-world impact, equipping students not only to advance knowledge, but to communicate it in ways that inform, engage and inspire.