Three Minute Thesis
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a university-wide competition for graduate students in which participants present their research and its wider impact in three minutes or less to a panel of non-specialist judges. The challenge is to present complex research in an engaging, accessible and compelling way, using only one static slide.
This fun and challenging academic competition enables students to showcase their research to a wider multi-disciplinary audience, within the university and to the broader public. The competition is open to the public, and is advertised within the community. 3MT® is a unique opportunity to communicate the innovative and significant research undertaken by graduate students.
History
The 3MT® competition was developed initially by the University of Queensland (Australia) in 2008. 3MT® competitions are now held in over 600 universities and institutions across 65 countries.
The first Ontario Tech University 3MT® competition was held in 2013. The inaugural provincial 3MT® competition was also held in 2013, followed by the first Canada-wide competition in 2014.
Learn more
Thank You for Your Support!
We'd like to thank our sponsors for their generous support of 3MT®!
Gold Sponsor
Important dates - 2024
Date |
Event |
| Friday, January 12 | Registration opens |
| Friday, February 2 | Registration closes |
| February to March | Coaching sessions |
| Friday, February 9 | Supervisor form due |
| Monday, March 11 | PowerPoint slide due |
| Wednesday, March 20 | 3MT® Heats |
| Thursday, March 21 | 3MT® Finals |
| Wednesday, May 8 |
Provincial competition held at Lakehead University Orillia Campus. |
Why participate?
- Learn how to concisely explain the significance of your research.
- Sharpen your presentation skills.
- Receive individual coaching.
- Compete to represent Ontario Tech at the provincial 3MT® finals.
- Win cash prizes of up to $1,000.
Coaching
Build your skills and confidence through a variety of coaching sessions. From individual consultations to interactive workshops, each session is designed to help you make the most of your three minutes and put your research into the spotlight.
Resources
Tips and resources for your presentation
- Coaching videos by John Bandler, PhD (McMaster University)
- Making the Most of Your Three Minutes, Simon Clews, Writing Centre, University of Melbourne, Australia
- 3MT Presentation Skills Workshop slides 2013 - Queen's University (Williams, 2013)
- Communicating your research in lay language, Cristian A. Linte, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, May/June 2009, pages 5-7.
- How do you present years' worth of material in 30 minutes?
- 3MT Not Just for Scientists
- Using open images (from the Library)
- How to win Three Minute Thesis (Dr. Inger Mewburn, Australian National University)
Eligibility
To participate in 3MT®, students must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below:
- At the time of the 3MT® competition, students must be registered in a master's or PhD program and must have made substantial progress on their research and analysis. Students in programs with a major research project, paper or portfolio may participate. Course-based master's students are ineligible.
- PhD and master's students who have defended or have submitted their project, paper or portfolio, but have not yet convocated, are eligible.
- 3MT® presentations must represent the primary research the student conducted in their graduate program.
- Presenters must agree to be video-recorded and to allow those recordings to be made public.
Confidentiality and intellectual property (IP) considerations
Students must understand that the presentation of their research in 3MT® will be publicly accessible, i.e., in the public domain.
The presentation of the research will not affect any pre-existing rights following the competition, except as stated below:
- Due to the nature of the competition, we will not ask judges, reviewers, staff or the audience to sign non-disclosure statements. If your research is being/has been conducted under contract with an outside sponsor, you are required to discuss the related contractual terms of confidentiality and IP with your supervisor and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) before participating in this competition.
- All public sessions of the competition including, but not limited to, oral presentations are open to the public at large. Any and all of these public sessions may be broadcast to interested persons through media, which may include the Internet.
- Any data or information discussed or presented in public sessions should be considered public. If your research includes confidential, contractual, newly created IP or culturally sensitive material, you are required to discuss your competition entry with your supervisor(s) before entering the 3MT® competition. Please submit the 3MT® supervisor consent form signed by your supervisor(s) to the SGPS as evidence of this discussion.
In coordinating 3MT®, the university and any host institutions for the province-wide competition may take photographs, videotapes and/or audiotapes; make transcripts of the presentations; and/or copy material prepared for use in presentation at the 3MT® and any related events for promotional purposes and to support knowledge mobilization.
Testimonials will be requested of all participants after the events.
Rules
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or movement of any description, and the slide is to remain in view for the duration of the oration).
- Competitors must present in person.
- No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and/or video files) are permitted.
- No props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
- Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are to commence from the stage.
- Presentations are to be spoken (i.e., no poems, raps or songs).
- Presentations must be made by memory; notes may not be used.
- The competition will be administered in English.
- The decision of the judging panel is final.
Events
2024 3MT® Provincial Competition
May 2024 - Date TBD
Lakehead University Orillia Campus
Internal Competition
Both the Heats and Finals will be livestreamed, but if you're unable to tune in live you can still watch the presentations on our 3MT Media Channel anytime!
3MT® Heats
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
RBC Meeting Place (UB 1055)
Heats begin at 9:30 a.m
Schedule TBD
3MT® Finals
Thursday, March 21, 2024
RBC Meeting Place (UB 1055)
1 to 1:15 p.m. |
Welcome |
1:15 to 1:45 p.m. |
Finalist Presentations |
1:45 to 2:05 p.m. |
Judges Deliberation |
2:05 to 2:15 p.m. |
Winners Announced |
2:30 to 3:15 p.m. |
Photos and Reception |
DOWNLOAD THE FINALS DIGITAL PROGRAM
Prizes
The top participants present their research. The winner of this event will advance to the virtual provincial finals. The following prizes will be awarded at the university's internal competition:
| Top finalist |
$1,000 |
| Runner-up | $500 |
| People's Choice winner | $250 |
If you have any questions, please contact the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at 905.721.8668 ext. 6209 or gradengage@ontariotechu.ca.
Thank You for Your Support!
We'd like to thank our sponsors for their generous support of 3MT®!
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
People's Choice Award
You be the judge! All audience members at the 3MT® Final on Thursday, March 21 will have the opportunity to vote for their choice of best presentation.
Finals
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Schedule TBD
Judging criteria
Communication (score out of 100)
- Did the presenter use language and terminology that was clear and understandable?
- Was the pace of the talk effective?
- Did the presenter use non-verbal communication (i.e. eye contact, voice modulation, body language, etc.) effectively?
- Did the slide enhance, rather than detract from, the talk – was it clear, legible and concise?
Comprehension (score out of 100)
- Did the talk help you to understand the scholarly research and creativity?
- Did the presenter clearly outline the nature and purpose of the scholarly research and creativity?
- Did the presenter clearly indicate what is interesting about the scholarly research and creativity?
- Did the talk follow a logical sequence?
Engagement (score out of 100)
- Was the talk engaging?
- Did the talk inspire you to want to know more?
- Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their work?
- Did the presenter capture and maintain your attention?
Want to learn how 3MT® works? Check out the videos from our past competitions!
