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.

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?

On April 12 2012, Concordia University will be holding its first annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) competition – organized by the coordinators from GradProSkills. 3MT™ is a presentation contest held annually at universities across the world – by partaking you'll have the chance to make history and become the first ever winner at Concordia. The top two contestants presenting in French will receive an opportunity to represent Concordia University at the 2012 ACFAS Congress (L'Association francophone pour le savoir) and compete against other institutions from across the province! (Contact GradProSkills for more information).

WINNER: Jonathan Feakins, Faculty of Arts and Science, Geography, Planning & Environment

Thesis Title: "Planning Like It's 2099: The Use and Distribution of Smartphone Transit. Applications in Chicago, Illinois"

3MT Title: Planning Like It's 2099: Smartphones and Sampling

RUNNER UP: Revathi Bangalore Somanatha, Faculty of Engineering & Computer Science, Computer Science and Software Engineering

Thesis Title: "Automated keying, authentication and adjacency management for routing protocol security"

3MT Title: Resist Rogues, Terminate Threats

WINNER: Mona Tajali, Faculty of Arts and Science, Humanities and Center for Interdisciplinary Studies

Thesis Title: "Women's Political Representation in Iran and Turkey: An Analysis of the Obstacles and Strategies to address them"

3MT Title: The Rise of Women in "Malestream" Politics in the Muslim World

RUNNER UP: Carole El Ayoubi, Faculty of Engineering & Computer Science, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Thesis Title: "Film Cooling Optimization in Gas Turbine Engines"

3MT Title: Now Leaving at Gate 6!

WINNER: Carole El Ayoubi, Faculty of Engineering & Computer Science, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Thesis Title: "Film Cooling Optimization in Gas Turbine Engines"

3MT Title: Now Leaving at Gate 6!

MA Level: Thomas Bourdier, Faculty of Arts and Science, Biology

Thesis Title: "La préservation de nos forêts face à une chenille vorace : un enjeu crucial."

3MT Title: Résultat de la défoliation par la tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette

Doctoral Level: Damien Biot-Pelletier, Faculty of Arts and Science, Biology

Thesis Title: "Quelques leçons de levures qui mangent du bois ou Comment conduire sans s'affamer"

3MT Title: Carburer au bran de scie grâce à une super levure