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Three Minute Thesis Competition

   

3MT® at Memorial

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed in 2008 by The University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia. Research students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. 3MT is not an exercise in trivialising research, but challenges students to consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience. 3MT competition cultivates students' academic, presentation, and research communication skills.

Congratulations to all participants of the 2024 School of Graduate Studies Annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition!

We were thoroughly impressed by the outstanding quality of research presentations from every participant in this year’s competition.

We are pleased to announce the winners:
First Place: Ishraq Rahman, Department of Biology
"The research on avian influenza (IAV) in Atlantic Canada’s wild birds is highly relevant to human health, as this virus can cross species and potentially spark outbreaks in people. Studying seabirds and gulls, Ishraq analyzes how environmental factors, such as pollution from human sources, may drive virus spread."

Second Place: Thaneswary Rajanderan, Faculty of Medicine
"Lessons learned from COVID-19 to build a protected Newfoundland and Labrador."

Third Place: Arezou Arvand, Department of Biochemistry
"Lay term: Mortalin: A superhero who helps to silence genes!"

Our first-place winner, Ishraq Rahman, will proudly represent Memorial University’s St. John’s campus at the Eastern Regional 3MT® Competition, hosted by Memorial University in June 2025.

Once again, congratulations to all participants for their exceptional work in effectively communicating their research. We celebrate all of your achievements!

ABOUT THE EVENT

Date: Friday, November 22, 2024

Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. NST

Location: The Landing (UC3015)

Graduate students will compete over the course of 120 minutes. Each three minute presentation will be followed by a brief break for judges to evaluate. A winner, second place, and third place will be chosen and announced after the final presentation.

Prizes:

  • First Prize: $1000 & the opportunity to attend the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition hosted by Memorial University in 2025
  • Second Prize: $500
  • Third Prize: $250
WHY PARTICIPATE?

Why Participate in 3MT?

3MT is part of an effort to provide research students with an opportunity to develop their academic, presentation, and research communication skills. 

Skills Training for Research Students

The exercise develops academic, presentation and research communication skills, while developing research students' ability to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Building Research Culture in Schools and Institutes

3MT provides a valuable opportunity for research students to come together, get to know one another and talk about their research. It also provides a supportive environment in which Schools and Institutes can provide presentation skills training.

Building External Relations for the University

The winner of Memorial's 3MT, hosted by the School of Graduate Studies, will represent the university at a regional competition, which provides an excellent networking and professional development opportunity. Competitors will also benefit from raising the profile of their research across the university and the local community.

Prizes

  • First Prize: $1000 & the opportunity to attend the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition hosted by Memorial Univeristy in 2025
  • Second Prize: $500
  • Third Prize: $250
RULES AND REGULATIONS

Eligibility:

  • Presenters must be currently registered in a Master's (thesis route only), PhD, or Professional Doctorate Research program (composed of at least two-thirds research and eligible for the RTP) at Memorial University.
  • PhD students who have defended but have not yet graduated are eligible.
  • Presentations must be based on research that is directly related to the student's graduate program thesis.
  • Presenters must agree to be recorded live.
  • Presenters must be available to present live on the day of the competition. To advance to the Eastern Regional Competition, the first prize winner from Memorial must also be available to present live at the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition.
  • Presenters must not have placed in the top 3 of a 3MT competition before.
  • Memorial's first-place winner must be a current student at the time of the Eastern Regional Competition to compete. If the winner is no longer a graduate student at that time, the second-place winner will advance instead.

Rules:

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations will commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.


Judging Criteria:

Comprehension & Content

  • Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question.
  • Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research.
  • Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research.

Engagement & Communication

  • The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience.
  • The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation.
  • The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.
3MT HANDBOOK

3MT Handbook

Other Resources Include:

Crafting a Winning 3MT Presentation

Research/Thesis Writing Videos

 

FAQs

If you are interested in competing in the 3MT competition, below are some Frequently Asked Questions that will help you get started.

What is 3MT?

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a skills development activity that challenges Research Higher Degree students to explain their research projects to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes.

How long is each 3MT presentation?

Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding three minutes will be disqualified.

Who is eligible to compete in 3MT?

Active PhD and Professional Doctorate Research (program composed of at least 2/3 research and eligible for RTP) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone/progress review (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions at all levels. Graduates are not eligible.

What is allowed on the presenter's 3MT PowerPoint slide?

One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. In preparing the slide, remember that 'less is more'. It does not have to include text. Visual cues are very effective in assisting the presenter's explanation of their research (No slide transitions, animations, sound or 'movement' of any kind are permitted).

Can sound or video be used during a presentation?

No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) is permitted during a 3MT presentation.

Can additional props be used during a presentation?

No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted during a 3MT presentation.

Can palm cards or speech notes be refered to during a presentation?

Yes, palm cards and/or speech notes are acceptable, however this option may detract from the delivery of the 3MT and is not recommended.

While presenters can't deliver their 3MT as a poem or song, can they quote from a poem or song?

Yes, quotes can be included from a poem or song if it is relevant to the presenter's thesis topic. Poetry and song lyrics are not permitted to be used to present the entire 3MT and their use should be very limited.

Is there a dress code?

There is no specific dress requirement, such as 'smart casual'. Some participants have worn suits with ties, while others have opted for t-shirts and jeans. Please wear whatever is comfortable for you; however, COSTUMES (including hats, masks, Dame Edna glasses, etc.) are not permitted.

What happens if I cannot attend the final?

The first-prize winner of the 3MT competition, hosted by the School of Graduate Studies, is expected to represent Memorial University's St. John’s campus at the next level of the competition. Should the winner be unable to attend, the second-prize winner will advance to the subsequent round of the 3MT competition.

Who do I contact to discuss my interest in the 3MT competition?

The School of Graduate Studies will be able to assist you and answer any additional 3MT questions that you may have. Please email xw8080@mun.ca.

 

Competition Rules and Regulations 

Eligibility:

  • Presenters must be currently registered in a Master's (thesis route only), PhD, or Doctorate Research program (composed of at least two-thirds research and eligible for the RTP) at Memorial University.
  • PhD students who have defended but have not yet graduated are eligible.
  • Presentations must be based on research that is directly related to the student's graduate program thesis.
  • Presenters must agree to be recorded live.
  • Presenters must be available to present live on the day of the competition. To advance to the Eastern Regional Competition, the first prize winner from Memorial must also be available to present live at the Eastern Regional 3MT Competition.
  • Presenters must not have placed in the top 3 of a 3MT competition before.
  • Memorial's first-place winner must be a current student at the time of the Eastern Regional Competition to compete. If the winner is no longer a graduate student at that time, the second-place winner will advance instead.

Rules:

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations will commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.


Judging Criteria:

Comprehension & Content

  • Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question.
  • Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research.
  • Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research.

Engagement & Communication

  • The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience.
  • The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation.
  • The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.
 Previous Winners:

 

 

 

 

 

 3MT® resources on this website have been generously provided by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.