Three-Minute Thesis (3MT庐) Competition
WHAT IS THE 3MT庐 COMPETITION?
The 91福利 Three-Minute Thesis (3MT庐) Competition is an annual, university-wide competition where graduate students present their research and its impact in three minutes to a panel of non-specialist judges and an audience. The challenge is to present complex research in an engaging, accessible and compelling way, using only one slide!
Graduate students from all disciplines are encouraged to compete. This fun but challenging competition offers a great chance for graduate students to refine their research communication and presentation skills, and compete for cash prizes!
THE 3MT庐 CHALLENGE
The 91福利 3MT庐 competition provides graduate students with an opportunity to improve skills to use after graduation. Communicating research clearly and creatively, without oversimplification or making it overly complex, is an important skill to carry into post-graduate employment.
The competition enables students across disciplines to showcase their research to a wider audience within the university and the public. It is a unique opportunity to communicate the innovative and significant research undertaken by graduate students. The competition is open to the public. Participants are encouraged to invite colleagues, friends and family!
2026 91福利 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Winner and Participants鈥� Choice
Nameera Shaikh, Occupational and Public Health MSc
鈥淎crylonitrile: Invisible but not harmless鈥�
(presentation video available following Ontario 3MT庐 on May 6)
2026 91福利 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Runner-up
Daryll Wilson, Psychology PhD
鈥淭he Pedagogy Project: Using Lecture Breaks for Learning鈥�
2026 91福利 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Participants鈥� Choice
Laura Teran Simancas, Chemical Engineering PhD
鈥淯sing Sunlight to Make Reliable, Safe Drinking Water鈥�
2025 3MT庐 Winner
Sammy Abdou, Biomedical Engineering PhD
"The First Minute of Life"
2025 3MT庐 Participants' Choice
Ishita Shreshtha, Biomedical Engineering PhD
"B Cells in Action for Cancer Diagnosis"
2025 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Runner-up
Daniel Almui帽a Pica, Civil Engineering MASc
"Can Big Brother Save the Climate?"
2024 91福利 3MT庐 Winner and Participants' Choice
Jordan Carillo Zurita, Molecular Science PhD
"Building Better Processed Foods, Block by Block"
2024 3MT庐 Runner-up
Aaliya Pathan, Molecular Science MSc
"Making Vitamin D Tests More Inclusive"
2023 3MT庐 Winner
Jocelyne Mendez-Guzman, Molecular Science MSc
"Hijackers in my Gut? It's More Likely than You Think"
2023 3MT庐 Participants' Choice
Nate Clark, Environmental Applied Science and Management PhD
"Silver Peroxide: Leaving Legionnaires鈥� Disease Dead in the Water"
2023 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Runner-up
Nerissa Inniss-Boston, Child and Youth Care MA
"The Path to Compassion Satisfaction"
2022 3MT庐 Competition
Congratulations to Vanessa Ruscetta on placing second at the Ontario 3MT漏! Vanessa represented 91福利 at the hosted by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) in November, 2022.
2022 91福利 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Winner
Vanessa Ruscetta, Molecular Science MSc
鈥淕aining the Upper Hand on Cancer Therapeutics鈥�
2022 91福利 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Participants鈥� Choice Award
Sean Leizerovich, Applied Mathematics MSc
鈥淓vacuating Kyiv鈥�
2022 91福利 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Runner-up
Reeda Mahmood, Molecular Science PhD
鈥淭he Sum of Those Around You鈥�
2019 3MT庐 Competition
Ontario 2019 3MT庐 Competition: Winner
Alex Kjorven, Environmental Applied Science and Management MASc
鈥淭he Gamification of Climate Change鈥�
2019 3MT庐 Competition: Runner-up
Wai Ying Lam, Environmental Applied Science and Management MASc student
鈥淪alty Ponds, Salty Streams?鈥�
2019 3MT庐 Competition: Winner
Alex Kjorven, Environmental Applied Science and Management MASc
鈥淭he Gamification of Climate Change鈥�
2019 3MT庐 Competition: Participant鈥檚 Choice Awards
Michael Zara, Biomedical Engineering MASc
鈥淏reathe Easy鈥�
2018 3MT庐 Competition: Winner
Lama Al Faseeh, Civil Engineering PhD
鈥淭he Real Future: Mixed Traffic of Human-Driven Vehicles (HDVs) and Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)鈥�
2018 3MT庐 Competition: People鈥檚 Choice Awards (tied)
Laura Krieger, Psychology MA
鈥淰irtual Tourism鈥�
2018 3MT庐 Competition: Runner-up
Cina Mehrvar, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering MASc
鈥淎 Better Way to Fix our Bones鈥�
2018 3MT庐 Competition: People鈥檚 Choice Awards (tied)
Natasha Ramoutar, Professional Communication MPC
鈥淔ight Like a Girl: Digital Storytelling for Self-Motivation鈥�
Ontario 2017 3MT庐 Competition: 3rd place and People's Choice
Ella Dubinsky, Psychology MA student, 3rd place and tied for the Ontario People's Choice Award
鈥淪inging for Your Brain鈥�
2017 3MT庐 Competition Runner-up
Celina Yang, Biomedical Physics PhD
鈥淕old nanoparticles to improve cancer treatment鈥�
2017 3MT庐 Competition Winner
Ella Dubinsky, Psychology MA student
鈥淪inging for Your Brain鈥�
2017 3MT庐 Competition People鈥檚 Choice Award
Hamza Asif, Media Production MA student
鈥淗ow Network Technology Can be Used to Enhance Peer-to-Peer Learning.鈥�
Ontario 2016 3MT庐 Competition: 2nd place
2016 3MT庐 Competition: Winner and People's Choice Award
Michael Moore, Biomedical Physics PhD
鈥淟istening to the 鈥榮eeds鈥� of cancer鈥�
2016 3MT庐 Competition: Runner-up
Julie Robertson, Environmental Applied Science and Management MASc
鈥淭he Challenges of Representing Traditional Inuit Knowledge in a Geographic Information System鈥�
2015 3MT庐 Competition: Winner
Jaclyn Ludmer, Psychology MA
鈥淯nderstanding Infants' Genetic and Environmental Risk for Depression鈥�
2015 3MT庐 Competition: Runner-up
Zainab Al-zanbouri, Computer Science MSc
鈥淕reen and Sustainable Computing鈥�
2015 3MT庐 People's Choice Award
Aaron Berhane, Immigration and Settlement Studies MA
鈥淵ou Must Obey Me, Even in Canada鈥�
Ontario 2015 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Competition
Canadian 2015 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Competition
Ontario 2014 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Competition: 3rd place and People's Choice
2014 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Competition: Winner
Muhammad Ali Naqvi, Molecular Science PhD
鈥淢ilk. It does the body good...but how?鈥�
2014 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Competition: People's Choice Award
Fatima Hussain, Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD
鈥淢agic! or Machines?鈥�
2014 3MT庐&苍产蝉辫;Competition: Runner-up
Adrian Bulzacki, Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD
鈥淢achine Recognition of Human Gestures Aided by Commercialization鈥�
Ryersonian article:
Registration is closed for the 2026 3MT Competition.
- A single, static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 鈥渕ovement鈥� of any description allowed). The slide is to remain in view for the duration of the oration.
- No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and/or video files) are permitted.
- No props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment, phones, etc.) are permitted.
- Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum; competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified. There will be a countdown timer visible.
- All presentations must be spoken (i.e., no poems, raps or songs).
- Presentations are considered commenced when a presenter starts the presentation through movement or speech.
- Presentations are to commence from the stage.
- 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.
- Students must be currently registered in a master's (thesis or major research paper) or PhD program.
- Students in course-based programs are not eligible. The following programs are not eligible: MEIE; Cybersecurity; Scriptwriting.
- Students must have made substantial progress on their research and analysis and have their dissertation/thesis/MRP proposal approved by the competition date. See FAQ section for more details.
- PhD students in first year are not eligible.
- Presentations must be based on research directly related to the student鈥檚 current graduate program thesis/dissertation/major research paper (MRP).
- Presenters must agree to be videotaped (details on the registration form).
- The 3MT庐 presentation must represent the current thesis research of the presenter.
- Presenters must be available to present, in person, on the day of the competition, and if successful, on the day of the Ontario 3MT庐 Competition.
- Please refer to the Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Considerations on the registration form before applying to compete.
Please note:
- PhD and master's students who have defended but have not yet graduated are eligible.
- Competitors must be registered 91福利 graduate students at the time of the 91福利 3MT庐 Competition.
- Postdoctoral fellows can compete in the 91福利 3MT庐 Competition. However, due to Ontario and national rules, they are NOT eligible to compete in the Ontario and national competitions.
- Previous winners are not eligible.
Presentations are judged according to the following criteria, each of which is equally weighted.
Comprehension
- Did the presentation help the audience understand the research?
- Did the presenter clearly outline the nature and aims of the research?
- Do you know what is significant about this research?
- Did the presentation follow a logical sequence?
Engagement
- Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
- Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or 鈥渄umb down鈥� their research?
- Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their work?
- Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience鈥檚 attention?
- Would you like to know more about the speaker鈥檚 research?
Communication
- Was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
- Did the speaker use sufficient eye contact and vocal range, maintain a steady pace and have a confident stance?
- Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain applicable terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
- Did the presenter spend the right amount of time on each element of their presentation? Or did they elaborate for too long, or were rushed?
- Did the PowerPoint slide enhance, rather than detract from, their presentation 鈥� was it clear, legible and concise?
Students must understand that the presentation of their research in the 3MT庐 competition will be publicly accessible (i.e., in the public domain).
The presentation of the research will not affect any pre-existing rights prior to and 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, please discuss the related contractual terms of confidentiality and intellectual property with your supervisor(s) 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, including the internet.
- Any data or information discussed or presented in public sessions should be considered 鈥減ublic.鈥� If your research includes confidential or culturally sensitive material, we advise that you discuss your competition entry with your supervisor(s) before entering the 3MT庐 competition.
- 91福利 and/or any other 3MT庐 event-related person may take photographs, video and/or audio recordings of the presentations, or material prepared for use in presentation at the 3MT庐 for promotional purposes and to support knowledge mobilization.
- Winner: $1000
- Runner-up: $500
- Participants鈥� Choice Award: $250
The first-place winner will also have all expenses paid to travel to the Ontario 3MT庐 Competition to represent 91福利 (April or May, 2026).
Please let us know if you require any accessibility accommodations to ensure your inclusion in this event.
3MT庐 information/coaching workshop: January 30, 2026 / 12-1:30pm (online)
An information session & coaching workshop will be held via Zoom on January 30, 2026
Who should attend? This session is for those who have decided to compete, as well as for students who want to find out more. Please register to receive the Zoom link.
Topics include:
- Introduction to the 3MT庐 Competition and what to expect
- How to uncover and talk about the 鈥渟o what?鈥� of your research topic
- How to prepare a killer PowerPoint slide (only ONE slide can be used)
- How to leave your audience wanting more!
- Effective presentation skills
3MT庐 one-on-one sessions (February - March)
Schedule an individual session to review your presentation and get feedback!
- For grad students in FEAS, contact: Dr. Ketan Marballi / professional development specialist (FEAS - graduate and postdoctoral) / ketan.marballi@torontomu.ca (opens in new window)
- For grad students in the Faculty of Science, contact: Ambar Bin- Soekardji / career education specialist - Faculty of Science / abinsoek@torontomu.ca (opens in new window)
- For grad students in all other faculties, contact:
-
- Dena Marcos / career education specialist for YSGPS and Chang School of Continuing Education / denamarcos@torontomu.ca (opens in new window)
- Dr. Nicholas Simard / post-doctoral fellow and researcher / Mondays from 10am-1pm / nicholas.simard@torontomu.ca (opens in new window)
3MT庐 practice and feedback sessions
Get some practice in front of a panel and receive feedback on your 3MT庐 presentation and slide before the competition! Please email Leslie at l2mutic@torontomu.ca (opens in new window) to request a timeslot (choose one).
Session#1: March 3 / 9:00-11:30am / SLC 452
Session#2: March 4 / 9:00-11:30am / SLC 450
Session#3: March 5 / 9:00-11:30am / SLC 450
Session#4: March 6 morning / 9:00-11:30am / SLC 452
Session#5: March 6 afternoon / 1:00-4:00pm / SLC 452
Additional workshops (optional)sessions
1) Mitacs workshop: "Mastering the Elevator Pitch" (online)
Details: Feb. 4 / 3-5:30pm / Note: mandatory online pre-requisite "Boost your career" / and through Mitacs Edge.
2) 91福利 Student Life and Learning Support workshop: "Introduction to Effective Oral Presentations" (in-person)
Details: Feb. 10 / 5-6pm / SLC 451 / REGISTER (opens in new window)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 鈥� What proportion of my degree must have a research component to be eligible to compete?
You are eligible to compete in the 91福利 competition if your degree involves a thesis, dissertation or major research paper (MRP). You must have a supervisor, have submitted your proposal and be working on your research. Generally speaking, first-year master's students in a two-year program will not have enough material to present by the competition date and should compete in their second year. PhD students must be in their second year or higher, with courses completed and research proposal approved. Course-based programs are not eligible.
Q 鈥� I was a student at the time of my competition at my university but will graduate before the Ontario competition. Am I eligible to enter?
Yes. If you are eligible at the time of your university鈥檚 competition, you will remain eligible for the Ontario competition, regardless of your program status.
Q 鈥� I have participated in the 3MT庐 before. Can I participate more than once?
As long as you are not a previous winner, you are welcome to enter again.
Q 鈥� Can I present my oration via video call?
No, presenters must be available to present, in person, on the day of the competition. The winner is also expected to attend the Ontario competition in-person.
Q 鈥� Can I present my oration as a poem, rap or song?
No. All presentations must be spoken. The 3MT庐 is primarily about developing students鈥� oration skills.
Q 鈥� Can I use a laser pointer or note cards?
No. Props of any kind are not permitted.
Q 鈥� Does my slide have to be in PowerPoint?
PowerPoint is the preferred format as all slides will be collated into a single PowerPoint presentation.
Q 鈥� How many transitions or animations can I have in my slide?
None. The slide must be static and not change in any way during the presentation. Your slide must be displayed for the duration of your presentation.
Q 鈥� Do I have to use a slide?
No, the slide is optional as the emphasis is on the oration.
Q 鈥� What happens if my presentation is longer than three minutes?
In all finals, competitors are given a 30-second warning, and a bell will sound at the three-minute limit. If a presenter continues to speak after the bell, they will be automatically disqualified.
Q 鈥� Is there a dress code?
While there is no stipulated dress requirement such as 鈥渟mart casual,鈥� you are encouraged to wear presentable, comfortable clothing 鈥� NO COSTUMES or props (including hats, masks, etc.).
Q 鈥� Will I be able to see a countdown timer at my final?
Depending on the room and AV provided, we will attempt to provide a countdown timer.
Q 鈥� Can I win more than one category?
Yes, it is possible to win both a place (first or runner-up) and the Participants鈥� Choice Award.
Q 鈥� What is the Participants鈥� Choice Award?
This is an award given to a participant who is selected by the competitors.
Q 鈥� What happens if I cannot attend the Ontario 3MT庐?
The winner of the 91福利 3MT庐 is expected to represent 91福利 at the next stage of the competition (the Ontario 3MT庐 Competition). If the winner is unable to attend the Ontario event, the 91福利 runner-up will attend.
For queries about the 91福利 3MT庐 Competition contact:
Leslie Mutic
Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
tmu.3mt@torontomu.ca (opens in new window)
Accessibility: Please let us know if you require any accessibility accommodations to ensure your inclusion in this event.
The 3MT庐 Competition was developed by the University of Queensland, Australia in 2008, to promote effective communication of research. Since then, it has spread internationally. Queen鈥檚 University hosted the inaugural Ontario 3MT庐 Competition in 2013. The first Canadian National 3MT庐 Competition was held in 2014, hosted by University of Manitoba.