Can you distill your research down to its simplest level? What is the driving motivation behind what you do?

In the "real world", whoever asks these questions, the first impressions count. It might be a relative, or it might be a stranger at a social event. It might also be a prospective employer in an interview or an examiner at your thesis defense; so in situations where a students' career might depend upon being able to deliver a concise explanation of what they do – such a contest becomes very helpful in developing those key communication skills.

The Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT™) is a presentation contest held annually at universities across the world where students have the opportunity to explain their research topic in easy to understand terms to a diverse non-specialist audience. Each student is to present a clear, concise, yet engaging presentation of their research project in a total of 3 minutes. The principle of the competition is very simple; Students (only masters level and PhD candidates who are currently enrolled at the University are eligible to participate) have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis topic and its significance in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience.

3MT 2010 from The University of Queensland on Vimeo.

1. What is the problem that you have identified?
2. How does your research contribute to the solution of this problem?
3. What do you need (people, resources, money) to bring your solution to reality?

• Presentations will be limited to 3 minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding 3 minutes will be disqualified.
• A single PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions are permitted).
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes or instruments) are permitted.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel will be final.

1. Communication style: was the thesis topic and significance communicated in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience?
   For example
- did the title of the talk give a clear picture of the topic and its importance?
- were all technical or specialist words clearly explained for a non-specialist audience?
- was the communication style clear enough so that any intelligent person could now sum up the topic and its significance?
2. Comprehension: did the presentation help the audience to understand the research?
   For example
- did the speaker deliver their presentation at an appropriate pace?
- was there a storyline that helped the audience understand the research problem, its importance and how the research would or did address that problem?
- did the PowerPoint slide help the audience better understand the topic and its significance?
3. Engagement: did the oration make the audience want to know more?
   For example
- did the speaker engage the audience with eye contact?
- did the speaker engage interest in the problem being researched?
- would you now like to join this research for further discussion about their work?

Concordia Graduate and Professional Skills program invites current graduate students to register for the 2013 Concordia 3-Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) to be held April 12, 2013.

In 2013 there are 33 graduate students participating in the 3MT competition. See the program for names of participants, judges and details about times for the preliminary heats and final competition.

The 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) is an academic competition developed by the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia for research students. It’s a presentation contest where you get the opportunity to explain your research topic in easy to understand terms to a diverse non-specialist audience. Each contestant is to present a clear, concise, yet engaging presentation of their research project in a total of 3 minutes.

• Promote your research project to an audience of faculty, graduate/undergraduate students and the general public
• Meet and network with other graduate researchers
• Develop your communication skills with the help of communication experts
• Learn how to explain your complex ideas in simple and understandable terms

Students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their project/thesis topic and its significance, in language appropriate to an intelligent, non-specialist audience. The 3MT competition is designed to encourage graduate researchers to develop their communication skills while sharing their research with others. The only support material allowed is a single non-animated PowerPoint slide.

****Top presentation in French – Represent Concordia at l’Acfas Conference May 2-7 in Quebec City

****Top presentation in Social Sciences and Humanities - Represent Concordia at CFHSS congress June 1-8 in Victoria BC

To register for the competition, send your completed registration form to: gradproskills@concordia.ca