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 competition cultivates students' academic, presentation, and research communication skills.

Congratulations to all the participants and award winners of the 2023 School of Graduate Studies Annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition! We thoroughly enjoyed every student's excellent quality of research presentation in the competition.

We are pleased to announce our three winners:

First Place: Noah Williams, Faculty of Medicine, "The Out-of-Pocket Costs and Influencing Factors Associated with Emergency Department Use for Patients in Newfoundland and Labrador"

Second Place: Syed Zeeshan Haider Rizvi, Electrical Engineering, "Defect Detection on Wind Turbine Blades Using Binary Segmentation Masks"

Third Place: Marina Cuselli, Geography, "Assessing the role of nature-based solutions for mitigating coastal erosion"

Our winner, Noah Williams, will represent Memorial University at the Eastern Regional 3MT® Competition at Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in 2024.

Once again, warmest Congratulations to this year's participants for their extraordinary job at communicating their research.

Why Participate in 3MT?

3MT is part of an effort to provide 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

Memorial's 3MT winner may go on to represent their university at a national competition which, in itself, provides an excellent networking and professional development opportunity. Competitors will also benefit from raising the profile of their research accross the univeristy and the local community.

Prizes

  • First Prize: Expenses paid trip to the Eastern Regional 3MT
  • Second Prize: $500
  • Third Prize: $250

3MT Handbook

 

 

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 project 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) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions at all levels, including the Asia-Pacific 3MT competition. 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' is 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 not permitted during a 3MT presentation. Laser pointers are allowed, however not encouraged (your slide should be simple enough that you do not need to emphasise elements to the audience).


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 stipulated dress requirement such as ‘smart casual’. Some have worn suits with ties, others t-shirts and jeans. Please wear whatever is comfortable for you. NO COSTUMES (including hats, masks, Dame Edna specs, etc).


What happens if I cannot attend the final?

The winner of each heat or final is expected to represent their School/Institute/Faculty/University at the next stage of the competition. If the winner is unable to attend the final, the runner-up will proceed to the next round of the 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 Masters (thesis route only) or PhD program 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, Memorial winners 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 in order to compete/participate. If the winner is no longer a graduate student at the time of the Eastern Regional Competition, 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 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.


Judging Criteria:

Comprehension & Content

  • Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question.
  • Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research; and
  • 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; and
  • The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.

 

About the Event

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, runner-up and the third prize will be chosen and announced after the final presentation. 

Competition Rules and Regulations


Eligibility:

  • Presenters must be currently registered in a Masters (thesis route only) or PhD program 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, Memorial winners 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 in order to compete/participate. If the winner is no longer a graduate student at the time of the Eastern Regional Competition, 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 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.


Judging Criteria:

Comprehension & Content

  • Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question.
  • Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research; and
  • 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; and
  • 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.