We are now accepting applications for 3MT 2026! Apply now via the applicatation link.
Any questions or want to learn more? Send them along to 3mt@dal.ca
We strive to have all graduate students be able to participate in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT). If you have concerns about your participation due to accessibility needs that require accommodations, please contact Niki Power
Take to the stage and present your research
The 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition brings together the Dalhousie community to give graduate student researchers a platform to share and celebrate their ideas and compete for cash prizes.
How does it work? You have three minutes to present your research in as engaging a manner as possible for a non-specialist audience, with one PowerPoint slide permitted as a visual aid.
Participation in 3MT is open to all students in research-based master’s and doctoral programs.
Key dates
- Monday, March 23 at 10 a.m. (AT): We host our first ever Dalhousie Agriculture campus heats! All are welcome to join us at the Riverview room at Jenkins Hall.
- Tuesday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (AT): First round of the 3MT competition, preliminary heats, takes place. All are welcome to attend! Location: Council Chambers (room 270), 2nd floor, Dalhousie Student Union Building.
- Tuesday, March 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. (AT): 3MT finals take place. All are welcome to attend! Location: McInnes Room, 2nd Floor, Student Union Building.
If you anticipate a barrier to your participation in the 3MT competition related to a protected characteristic and wish to request accommodation, please make an appointment to meet with an Access Advisor for more information.
Crafting and Refining your 3MT Presentations
- Three Minutes to Shine I: Crafting your 3MT Presentation
Dates and times:
Monday, February 9: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (AT)
Wednesday, February 18: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (AT)
Thursday, February 26: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
Wednesday, February 25: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (AT)
Location: in-person Riverview Room, Jenkins Hall, Agriculture Campus
Facilitator: Kala Clarke, Senior Manager, Professional Development and Student Engagement FGS
This session is designed to help graduate students prepare and excel in their Three Minute Thesis (3MT) presentations. Learn how to distill complex research into a concise, engaging narrative that resonates with a general audience. Discover strategies for structuring your talk, refining your delivery, and working with the rules and rubric. Leave equipped to confidently showcase your research in just three minutes.
- Three Minutes to Shine II: Refining your 3MT Presentation
Dates and times:
Tuesday, February 10: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. (AT)
Thursday, February 19: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. (AT)
Wednesday, February 25: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
Facilitator: Kala Clarke, Senior Manager, Professional Development and Student Engagement FGS
This hands-on workshop is designed to help graduate students refine their drafted Three Minute Thesis (3MT) presentations to excel in their 3MT presentations. Working with the rules, rubrics, and models from past finalists, work through our checklist and leave equipped to confidently showcase your research in just three minutes.
Workshops
- How to Communicate Your Research in 3 Minutes
Partner: NATIONAL Public Relations
Date: Thursday, February 5
Time: 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. (AT)
Location: Rowe 3089 or Online via Teams
Focused on the importance of preparation and effective communication, our team from NATIONAL Public Relations will help 3MT participants craft a persuasive and authentic argument. Our facilitators will lead participants through a message development exercise and coach them on how to deliver their key messages in a concise manner in front of a live audience. We look forward to sharing our insight and equipping all participants with the right tools to master their 3 Minute Thesis!
- Designing your 3MT Story: Faculty of Science
Partner: Writing Centre
Date: Tuesday, February 10
Time: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
The 3MT requires you to condense the story of your research into 3 minutes for a general, non-specialist audience. The goal is to help you gain skills to expand the reach of your work, gain funding, and pursue both academic and non-academic job opportunities. This interactive workshop will help science students to prepare for the 3MT by providing tips and techniques to explain their research while avoiding jargon without oversimplifying their work.
- Designing your 3MT Story: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Partner: Writing Centre
Date: Thursday, February 12
Time: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
The 3MT requires you to condense the story of your research into 3 minutes for a general, non-specialist audience. The goal is to help you gain skills to expand the reach of your work, gain funding, and pursue both academic and non-academic job opportunities. This interactive workshop will help arts and social science students to prepare for the 3MT by providing tips and techniques to explain their research while avoiding jargon and oversimplifying the significance of their work.
- Designing your 3MT Slide: Copyright and Cognitive Load
Partner: Libraries, Copyright Office, FGS
Date: Monday, February 23
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
Three Minutes. One slide. But what to put on that slide that captures your ideas and frames your presentation? Join this workshop and learn design tips on how one slide can capture the audience’s attention. We will also discuss images and copyright.
- Designing your 3MT Story: EAL/Multilingual and International Students
Partner: International Centre & Writing Centre
Date: Wednesday, February 25
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (AT)
Location: International Centre and Online via Teams
The 3MT requires you to condense the story of your research into 3 minutes for a general, non-specialist audience. The goal is to help you gain skills to expand the reach of your work, gain funding, and pursue both academic and non-academic job opportunities. This interactive workshop will help international students prepare for the 3MT by providing techniques to clearly and concisely explain their research in a way that is both informative and engaging. The 3MT is an ideal way for international students to practice their academic presentation skills within a supportive, encouraging environment.
- Stage Fright to Spotlight: Public Speaking Skills for Grad Students Competing in the 3MT
Partner: Writing Centre
Date: Thursday, February 26
Time: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
Public speaking is a vital skill for graduate students, whether you're presenting research, teaching, or preparing to present for the 3MT competition. This interactive workshop will help you develop the tools to communicate your ideas effectively, confidently, and succinctly in academic and professional settings. Learn strategies for organizing your thoughts, engaging your audience, and managing your nerves. Through practice and peer feedback, you’ll leave with enhanced skills and greater confidence in your public speaking abilities so you can stand out during your 3MT presentation!
- From Research to Impact: Navigating IP, Patents, and Commercialization
Partner: Office of the Vice President Research & Innovation
Date: Wednesday, March 4
Time: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
Are you a researcher or student working on groundbreaking ideas with commercial potential? Wondering how to protect your intellectual property and navigate the world of patents? Join us for From Research to Impact: Navigating IP, Patents, and Commercialization. This interactive session, led by Dal's Technology Transfer Office, will cover essential strategies for safeguarding your inventions, understanding disclosure requirements, and preparing for commercialization opportunities. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights and ask your pressing questions.
- 3MT Crash Course Session
Partner: Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date: Wednesday, March 4
Time: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. (AT)
Location: Online via Teams
Want to make your research stand out in just three minutes? This crash course will help you craft a clear, compelling, and engaging 3MT presentation. Learn how to distill complex ideas into a powerful narrative, captivate your audience, and leave a lasting impact—all while avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you're preparing for competition or simply looking to refine your communication skills, this session will provide practical tips and feedback to help you shine.
Drop-in Coaching
- Attend one of our online drop-in feedback and coaching sessions being held this week to receive one-to-one constructive feedback before the 3MT Heats. Registration is not required and participants will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
Partners: Writing Centre, Study for Success, past 3MT finalists
Dates and times:
Wednesday, March 18: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (AT)
Friday, March 20: 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. (AT)
Please visit the Writing Centre to book one-to-one appointments for more coaching.
Participate in the 3MT competition
Dal graduate students
Are you enrolled in a research-based master’s or doctoral program? Participate in this year's 3MT competition by registering before 9 a.m. on March 2. To participate, please submit your 3MT presenter slide to ThreeMT@dal.ca by March 10 at 3 p.m. (AT).
The first round of the competition — the preliminary heats — take place on March 14. The winners of the heats will move forward to the finals on March 20, during which various cash prizes will be offered:
First Place: $1,000 and the opportunity to represent Dalhousie at the eastern regionals
Second Place: $500
Third Place: $250
People’s Choice: $250 (in addition to any other prize money received)
Remaining Finalists: $100
Faculty and staff
Thank you to those faculty and staff that registered to serve as heats judges on March 14. Please check your email for details.
Members of the Dalhousie community (everyone)
Members of the Dal community and beyond are invited to join us for the 3MT heats on March 14 and finals on March 20. Cheer on competitors and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award winner during the finals, while learning about the important work being done by the grad student community.
Join the 3MT@Dal 2023 Brightspace community
To self register for the 3MT Brightspace community, access resources, and watch recordings of past workshops, follow the steps below:
- Log in to Brightspace at https://dal.brightspace.com/ using your Dalhousie credentials.
- Next, click on the "Academic Support" tab in the top menu, and select "Self Registration."
- In the list of self registration course offerings, click on 3MT@Dal 2023 (course code: ONLC.3MT.DAL.23), and then click "Register."
- A form will appear that will auto-populate your credentials; ensure these are correct, and hit "Submit."
- You will receive an email confirming your enrollment in 3MT@Dal, and you'll become part of the online community in Brightspace. You may want to pin the course to your homepage for ease of access.
Upcoming 3MT workshops
Whether you're thinking of participating in 3MT or are looking to sharpen your communication skills, join our upcoming workshops. These sessions will introduce you to 3MT, help you prepare your presentation for the competition, and offer coaching and feedback.
3MT Coaching
Date: March 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Partner: Writing Centre and Studying for Success
Location: Collaborate Ultra Room (Virtual)
Upcoming Dal 3MT workshops
See 3MT in action
Visit our YouTube channel to view presentations from past competitions.