Professional Development

Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland that challenges research higher degree students to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance in just three minutes in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

3MT Logo

  1. To participate in 3MT you must currently be registered in a graduate program at ULethbridge.
  2. Graduate students who have defended but have not yet graduated are eligible. Students must not have graduated prior to the date of the competition final.
  3. Students who have competed in past 3MT competitions can and should participate. Their presentation must be new and/or updated for each competition. All entries must be original; entries that have been published, publicly presented, or submitted to any other competition (past or current) are not eligible.
  4. Presentations must be based on research that is directly related to the student’s graduate program. Research performed for employment should not be presented.
  5. Presenters must consent to have 3MT videos streamed at the finals. 

  • A single, static PowerPoint slide is permitted
    • located in the top right corner of the screen while presenting, the speaker should be the center focal point with the slide
      • (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration or for a maximum of one minute).
      • Images used in the slide must be your own, or you must have permission from the owner of the photo(s) and provide proper credit(s).
  • No additional electronic media
    • ​​​​​​​(e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props
    • ​​​​​​​(e.g. laser pointers, costumes, laboratory equipment or musical instruments) are permitted.
  • No notes allowed.
    • Presentations are to be memorized, do not read from notes.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum.
    • Judges are recommended to deduct marks from presentations that exceed 3 minutes.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word
    • ​​​​​​​(e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations must be based on research directly related to the student’s current graduate program thesis.
    • Research performed for employment should not be present.
    • Research completed as part of a prior degree should not be presented as current work.

    • Entries must be original wor

  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.

  • Video presentations should focus on the presenter in the centre of the screen, from about the waist up

    • The slide will be added to the upper right corner after submission.

    • The presenter and camera will not move during the presentation (i.e. you will remain seated or standing in one place for the full duration of the presentation).

    • Hand gestures and body language are okay.
  • The 3-minute audio must be continuous –
    • no edits, breaks etc.
  • Presentations should be recorded inside, with a minimalist background
    • (i.e. a blank wall). Do not include any visuals complementing your presentation (the only visual allowed is your one 3MT slide located in the top-right corner).
  • Presenters must agree to present live at the 3MT ULethbridge final on Thursday, March 12 2026
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience

Comprehension and 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 and 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.

Provided to judges on the rubric, each section is evenly weighted. 

Communication: 

  • Was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to a general/non-specialist audience? 

  • Did the speaker use sufficient eye contact and vocal range, maintain a steady pace, and a confident stance? 

  • Did the speaker avoid jargon, explain terminology, and provide adequate background information to illustrate points? 

  • Did the speaker spend the right amount of time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long or were they rushed? 

  • Did the PowerPoint slide enhance, rather than detract, from their presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise? 

Comprehension:

  • Did the presentation help the audience understand the research and research methods? 

  • Did the presenter clearly outline the nature and aims of the research? 

  • Was the significance and impact of the presenter's research clearly defined? 

  • Did the presentation follow a logical sequence? 

Engagement: 

  • Did the presentation make the audience want to know more? 

  • Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or overly generalize the research? 

  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research? 

  • Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention? 

Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition Resources

The School of Graduate Studies offers workshops and training to support 3MT participants each year. 

One-to-one coaching support is available, contact sgs.pd@uleth.ca for more information. 

Visit the SGS Graduate Student Hub for more information and this year's resources and workshops.

3-Minute Thesis (3MT)

 

This session will provide a review of the internationally recognized 3MT competition and how you can approach openings, closings, and your presentation's overall structure for the 3-minute format. We will provide a brief overview of the scoring, and if time allows, take a look at some of the past 3MT Winners. To learn more about the ULethbridge competition visit:https://www.ulethbridge.ca/graduate-studies/professional-development/3mt-images-research.

The session should only take about an hour, but we are ensuring there is ample time for questions, practice or whatever your needs are.

Megan Hébert, Manager, Graduate Student Engagement, attended the 3MT Canadian Finals for the past 3 years to scout out the winners from all the regions across Canada, as well as supported the 3MT National Working Group in Collaboration with CAGS (Canadian Association of Graduate Studies) to broaden the support provided to participating institutions across Canada. 

This session will go beyond the 3MT competition to provide insight into framing, crafting and conveying your research through storytelling to a non-specialist audience.

This will be an active session that will get you practicing.

Let’s be honest: explaining your research can be harder than doing your research. This playful, hands-on workshop helps graduate students turn complex ideas into stories people actually enjoy listening to.

Using Three Minute Thesis (3MT) as a fun constraint (not a pressure cooker), we’ll experiment with storytelling tools you can use for any presentation, from conference talks and classrooms to funding pitches and family dinners.

Strong professional relationships can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and career pathways, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Whether you're looking to expand your network, connect with potential mentors, explore career options, or build confidence in professional settings, this session is designed to help.

Join the School of Graduate Studies and Alex from Mitacs for an interactive workshop on developing meaningful professional connections throughout your graduate journey. Learn practical strategies for networking authentically, building and maintaining professional relationships, finding mentors, and creating opportunities that support your academic and career goals.

In this session, you will learn how to:

  • Approach networking with confidence and authenticity
  • Build meaningful relationships within and beyond academia
  • Identify and connect with mentors, sponsors, and professional contacts
  • Leverage conferences, events, and online platforms to expand your network
  • Develop strategies for maintaining and growing professional connections over time

Whether you're just beginning graduate school or preparing for your next career step, this workshop will provide actionable tools to help you build a strong professional network and make the most of the opportunities around you.

There are various opportunities for graduate students to practice their 3MT presentation before School of Graduate Studies staff members and receive feedback. These sessions are available for the first round, top 10 finalists, and the finalist throughout each stage of the competition.