What is Three Minute Thesis (3MT) / Ma thèse en 180 secondes (MT180)?
In the University-wide 3MT/MT180 competition, graduate students have the chance to showcase their leading-edge research before a live audience. With only three minutes and a single slide, students mustÌýengage their audience and convey the complexities of their work to a diverse, non-expert audience. Participants may present their research in English or in French. Winners will receive cash prizes and first place winners will advance to regional and national competitions.
Registration for 2025 3MT/MT180 is now closed!
Eligibility
- Master's and PhD students from all disciplines are eligible to compete in McGill's 3MT and MT180 competitions.
- Must be currently registered in an active Master's or PhD program at McGill.
- Your program must include a significant research project. Master's programs that are entirely course-based are not eligible.
- The 1st place winnerÌýof the English 3MT competition will advance to CAGS 3MT Eastern regional finals.
- The 1st place winner of the French MT180 competition will advance to ACFAS national finals. Only doctoral students can qualify for ACFAS.Ìý
Commitment
All participants are encouraged to participate in the optional, onlineÌýtraining and practice sessions.- To compete in the final, you must participate in a qualifying heat.
- Qualifying heat finalists will receive additional, in person practice and coaching sessions before the final on April 3rd, 2025.
- 3MT and MT180 participants will compete in separate qualifying heats.
- Finalists from both 3MT and MT180 heats will compete in the finals on April 3rd, 2025.Ìý
- Expected time commitment is 2-4hrs/week.
Prizes
In the finals, French and English finalists will compete against each other. One winner for each language will be declared. Participants in both languages are eligible for the Second Place, Third Place or People's Choice award.Ìý
- First place winner 3MT (English): $750 + advance to the CAGS 3MT eastern regional competition (potential to compete at the CAGS national competition).
- First place winner MT180 (French): $750 + advance to the ACFAS MT180 nationals competition (potential to compete at the ACFAS internationals competition in France).
- Second place (3MT or MT180): $500.
- Third place (3MT or MT180): $300.
- People's Choice (3MT or MT180) $150.
CCR Recognition
- To receive CCR recognition, you must participate in 1 training session, 1 practice session and 1 heat session.
- All 3MT and MT180 finalists who participate in the finals on April 3rd, 2025Ìýwill receive additional CCR recognition.
3MT/MT180: 2024 edition
Watch the McGill's 2024 3MT/MT180 Competition where more than 150 graduate students accepted theÌýThree Minute Thesis challenge. Chasing glory and cash prizes, 15 finalists advanced to the final competition. Check out the recording to see their presentations and learn more about their research.
See more past 3MT/MT180 events
Info Sessions:
Attend the 3MT/MT180 info session to learn more about the competition and how it can help you bring your thesis to a wider platform!
Your thesis has depth, now give it a voice at the 3MT/MT180 competition. It’s the perfect platform to communicate your research’s impact in a way that's both enlightening and engaging – in three minutes or less! Plus, you'll gain some invaluable communication and public speaking skills along the way — skills you will continue to carry through academia and beyond.
General info sessions
Watch a recording of our info session on December 12, 2024Ìý.
Regardez un enregistrement de notre .Ìý
As a McGill student, your participation in full to activitiesÌýsuch as training workshops and volunteering are tracked on your Co-Curricular Record (CCR)!ÌýHaving your co-curricular activities listed in one document can help you revise your CV or cover letter, prepare for interviews, andÌýexplore career options.