Three Minute Thesis Competition

Preliminary Round: Video Submission
To start, you'll create and submit a 3-minute video presentation of your research. This video must be accompanied by a single static image (like a PowerPoint slide or graphic) to support your pitch.

• Submitted videos are divided into six groups and evaluated by panels of faculty, students, staff, alumni and community members.
• Judges score the presentations based on four criteria: subject comprehension, content, audience engagement, and communication skills.

Each preliminary round winner receives $250 and advances directly to the final, live championship round.

2. The Championship Round: Live Event
The final competition takes place in person at the Anishinaabe Theater in the Memorial Union and is open to the public. A new panel of judges will evaluate the presentations live based on the same four criteria.

The winner is named the$ Champion, earning $1,000 (for a total of $1,250 including the preliminary prize). The Champion also advances to a regional competition.

Innovation Awards: Two additional prizes of $500 each will be presented to competitors whose presentations demonstrate the most innovation.

At every level of the competition, competitors will be assessed on two key areas, equally weighted:

Comprehension and 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 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
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

Time Limit

• Maximum Presentation Time: 3 minutes.
  • Competitors exceeding the 3-minute limit will be immediately disqualified.
• The 3-minute clock begins the moment the competitor starts speaking (the audio must be continuous, with no sound edits or breaks).
  • The 3MT title slide is not included in the timing.

Presentation Slide

• Your presentation is permitted only a single static slide.
• The slide must not contain any transitions, animations, or 'movement' of any description.
• The slide can be visible continuously throughout the presentation.
• The slide can be 'cut to' (shown on screen) as many times as you like.
• The following are not permitted in the presentation or recording:
  • No costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment, or animated backgrounds.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g., sound or video files).
  • Presentations must be spoken word (no poems, raps, or songs).

Video Filming Specifications

• The video recording must meet these technical criteria:
  • Orientation: Filmed on the horizontal (landscape).
  • Background: Filmed on a plain background.
  • Camera: Filmed from a static position and a single camera angle.