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- Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies in Graduate Studies
Three Minute Thesis
Check your eligibility
Any student who is active in an 51社区黑料master's or PhD program will be eligible to participate in SFU's 3MT competition.
Students with their thesis under submission are eligible. Even if you have already defended in the Spring term, you may still compete until the final thesis submission deadline at the end of April.
Students in Non-Thesis programs are eligible to compete at SFU. While the international 3MT rules exclude our non-thesis grad students, we will include all of our graduate students in our university-level competition. However, non-thesis students may not be able to compete at the Western Regional and the National 3MT Competitions.
TIMING OF DEGREE COMPLETION
- Competitors who are eligible on the date of their first presentation shall remain so, irrespective of subsequent changes to their status.
- Your presentation should be directly related to your graduate program research and thesis/dissertation. Your research does not have to be completed.
Learn from the 2025 51社区黑料Finalists!
Check out last year's competitors participating in the Finals.
- 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. Some exceptions鈥攂ased on elements integral to one's research or alternative research approaches鈥攎ay be considered.
- No notes allowed. Presentations are to be memorized.
- Presentations should be near the three (3) minute mark. Points will be deducted if over in the Finals.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (eg. no poems, theatrical performances, raps or songs). Minor elements of the above may be incorporated should it be the topic of research
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
At every level of the competition each competitor will be judged on the judging criteria listed below. Please note that each criterion is equally weighted and is geared towards audience impact.
COMPREHENSION
- Did the presentation explain the background and significance of the research question in clear, jargon-free language鈥攐r explain any jargon for a non-specialist audience?
- Did the presentation clearly outline the nature and purpose of the research, including methodology, and describe the impact and/or results, conclusions, outcomes, or next steps (the what, why, how, and so what?)
- Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
- Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?
- Did the presentation highlight the fascinating or compelling aspects of the research?
ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION
- Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
- Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
- Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
- Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention, using creative language or storytelling where appropriate?
- Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence and use non-verbal communication effectively (e.g., vocal range, steady pace, confident stance, body language)?
- Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation鈥攚as it clear, legible, concise, and did it create intrigue without distracting from the speaker?
Sign up for these workshops designed to help graduate students share their research in fresh, engaging ways. Learn how to communicate your work clearly and confidently across a variety of settings and audiences.
What is a Three Minute Thesis Anyway? 3MT Info Session
Jan. 15 | 12:00-12:30 PM (Zoom)
In these 30 minutes, you will learn the scope and objective of this global knowledge sharing competition.
The Hook, Delivery, and Creativity of a Good 3MT
Jan. 28 | 1:00-2:30 PM (Research Commons, Burnaby)
co-facilitated with Julie Jones | Research Commons Librarian
Discover how to craft short, impactful presentations that captivate your audience, and access practical resources to take your communication skills even further.
How to Structure an Engaging 3MT
Feb. 6 | 10:00-11:00 AM (Zoom)
If you've ever seen a good 3MT, it has a flow or rhyme. Learn how to organize your content and pace it well to make the most out of your three minutes.
Review the top tips from previous workshops
What is a Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Anyway?
A Presentation's First 30 Seconds are Crucial!
Tips from 3MT Part 1: A Presentation's First 30 Seconds are Crucial.
- Watch the first 30 seconds of several SFU's 3MT presentations and ask yourself "what do you notice first: their title, visual, or what they say?"
- Study common opening methods such as using the "imagine" scenario, telling a story, making them laugh or sharing a surprising statistic.
- Ever heard "people remember not what you said, but how you made them feel"? The same thing works for a 3MT opener.
- Make sure to get the audience to care about your work right at the beginning.
- Remember, it's also not only what you say, but how you say it. Delivery is important!
- Be passionate, "look' at people in the audience, emote, and be genuine!
- Keep in mind, the title of your presentation is part of your opener. Think outside the 'academic' title.
The Construction, Flow, and Delivery of an Engaging Flash Talk
9 Tips from 3MT Part 2: The Construction, Flow and Delivery of An Engaging Flash Talk
- Don't forget to polish your first 30 seconds (refer to "Tips from Part 1").
- After the hook, answer: "Why should the audience care about your work?" and "What is your research question?"
- When describing your research methods, keep it jargon-free - use one or two terms at most and explain what they mean.
- Finish strong - tie your beginning and ending together.
- Try describing your research in a six-word sentence (or less). Got it? You now have a 3MT title!
- Your 3MT image is an accessory to your story - you are the main act. Fewer words are better!
- Prioritize self-care before your presentation: skip that second cup of coffee, meditate in the morning, get a good night's sleep, etc.
- To find images for your 3MT slide, try: Flickr - The Commons, Flickr - Creative Commons, Wikimedia Commons, or The Noun Project.
- When writing your 3MT, use plain language (refer to PLAIN Language International).
Wow the Crowd: Thinking outside the academic presentation
Here are five fun activities you can do right now to help you think beyond the traditional academic presentation and boost creativity:
- Ask yourself, "Why am I dedicating my time to this?" Engage those who might only be passively listening. Think about how to move them to the edge of their seat!
- In two minutes, brainstorm as many uses as possible for a paperclip. Once you have your list, review your ideas and note how you start stretching beyond the paperclip鈥檚 original purpose. This kind of fringe thinking sparks innovation!
- Identify what makes you unique. What do you love doing? What topics do you enjoy discussing with friends and family? What inspires you? Look for overlapping elements to find your creative edge.
- Explore images - online, in books, or in magazines. How would you connect them to a story about your research?
- Play with your research. Try creating a research haiku! A haiku consists of just three lines, typically following a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
More Offerings:
Looking at how past competitors performed is a good way to pick up presentation tips.