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IEEE ComSoc Four Minute Thesis (4MT) Competition

Four Minute Thesis (4MT) logo

New 4MT Competition Begins on 4 August!

IEEE ComSoc is organizing the Four Minute Thesis (4MT) Competition in advance of IEEE GLOBECOM 2025.  PhD students are challenged to explain their research project to a non-specialist audience in just four minutes.  Participation in 4MT supports competitors to: Communicate their ideas effectively; Describe their research findings to a non-specialist audience; Increase their profile among the research community; and Network with other PhD students.

Key Dates

4 August: Submissions period opened
9 September by 11:59 PM EDT (extended deadline from 4 September): Round 1 entry deadline - Round 1 is now closed.
16 September: Notification of Round 1 results
8 December: Round 2 in-person at GLOBECOM in December 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan, for entries selected during Round 1
10 December: Winners presented with certificates at BoG meeting

Eligibility

  1. Active PhD candidates who are ComSoc Graduate Student Members and have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by 4 September 2025 are eligible to participate in 4MT competitions.
  2. Winners of the 4MT Competition in the immediate past two years are not eligible to participate. 

How to Enter

  • Submit your entry by completing the online form.
  • Form Submission Deadline: 9 September 2025 by 11:59 PM EDT

Submit Your Entry

4MT Rules

The following rules apply to the 4MT competition connected to IEEE GLOBECOM 2025. They must be adhered to by all competitors.  View the full competition rules.

Round One Rules and 4MT Recording
  • Video Presentations are limited to 4 minutes and competitors exceeding 4 minutes are disqualified.
  • Videos must meet the following criteria:
    • Filmed on the horizontal;
    • Filmed on a plain background;
    • Filmed from a static position;
    • Filmed from one camera angle;
    • Contain a presenter,
    • Contain PowerPoint slides (top right corner/right side/cut to)*
  • The video must be clear and continuous – no edits or breaks.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment and animated backgrounds) are permitted within the recording.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word in English (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted within the video recording.
  • Submission of the video link only (YouTube, Vimeo, or other online platform containing the 4MT video).  Competitors should not submit their video files.

Please note: Competitors will not be judged on video/ recording quality. Judging will focus on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience, and 4MT PowerPoint slide.

Round Two Rules
  • Those selected to move on to Round 2 must attend the 4MT Competition in person at GLOBECOM in December 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan. No show will be disqualified.
  • Oral presentation must be completed in 4 minutes and competitors exceeding 4 minutes are disqualified.
  • Competitors have the option to either present their old PowerPoint slides in Round 1 or present new PowerPoint slides.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
  • View the full competition rules.

4MT Judging Content

At every round of the 4MT competition, each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below:

Comprehension and Content
  • Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/ or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
  • Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
  • Was the thesis topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
Engagement and Communication
  • Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
  • Was the presenter careful not to trivialise or generalise their research?
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
  • Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience’s attention?
  • Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
  • Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation – was it clear, legible, and concise?

For any inquiry, please contact Rose Qingyang Hu via email.