Registration is now open for the University of Arkansas' second annual Three Minute Thesis competition. All graduate students are encouraged to participate. The academic contest challenges students to summarize their thesis or dissertation research within three minutes to a general audience.

Students may sign up to participate in the contest by completing the registration form. The registration deadline is Oct. 31.

The competition celebrates discoveries made by graduate students and encourages them to communicate the significance of their research to the broader community in language that is understood by the general public.

Presenters will be judged on their ability to help audience members comprehend their research and their ability to engage the audience. In addition to the three minute time limit, participants may use one static PowerPoint slide.

Preliminary heats will be held in each of the academic colleges during the week of Nov. 14-18. First and second place winners from each college will receive monetary prizes. The first place winner from each college will advance to a university-wide final on Feb. 10.

The Three Minute Thesis competition is sponsored by the Graduate School and International Education and was founded by the University of Queensland in 2008. The event will serve as the capstone to Graduate Education Week, which kicks off Feb. 6.