TRU Three Minute Thesis (#TRU3MT)

Even the world’s best public speakers prepare before important presentations. To assist you with your preparations, please find a few suggestions that will help you in writing your presentation, creating your slide and practising your presentation.
3MT competitor guide

TRU Libraries 3MT Research Guide

You’re done, now how to submit your final slide? Send it to 3MT@tru.ca

Registration closed: March 17, 2025
Slide submission deadline: March 21, 2025

TRU 3MT Competition: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

5:00 p.m.
2^nd floor
OLARA
805 University Drive, Kamloops, BC V2C 0C8

Western Canadian 3MT® competition
Hosted by: University of Victoria
Date: Tuesday May 6, 2025

• Students are required to sign a consent form authorizing the use of video recordings of the 3MT presentation, photos, interviews for press releases, websites and social media.
• Students are encouraged to discuss their participation and presentation with their supervisors.

Participation in the regional competition is open to Western Deans Agreement participating universities hosting a local 3MT competition. Eligible participants are the winner of their local competition and are masters or PhD candidates in graduate programs eligible for Tri-Council funding.

For more information on the history and mission of 3MT, visit the official 3MT website.

The 3MT competition is for TRU students currently enrolled in a graduate program conducting their own original research. Participants must:

• Be currently enrolled in a graduate program at TRU
• Be conducting their own original research under the supervision of a faculty mentor
• Have results to share
• Can be enrolled in a thesis, research project, or creative expression exist stream
• A student whose research is under submission on the date of the competition is still eligible to compete

Students who are NOT eligible include:

• Students in a course-based exist stream
• A student whose degree is conferred before they compete and who has therefore graduated (even if they have not attended a graduation ceremony)

1. A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. Using a slide is optional but recommended. Images used in the slide must be your own, or you must have permission from the owner of the photo(s) and provide proper credit.
2. No additional electronic media is permitted (e.g., sound, video files).
3. No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
4. Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum.
5. Presentations that go over 3 minutes will be disqualified.
6. Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps or songs).
7. Presentations must be based on research directly related to the student’s graduate program thesis. Research performed for employment should not be presented.
8. The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Prizes

1. First Place: $1,000
2. Second Place: $500
3. Third Place: $250

Judging

A panel made up of representatives from the community of Kamloops will judge presentations for the local competition.

Each of the three judging criteria has equal weight. Note that each criterion has an emphasis on the audience.

Communication:

• Did the presenter use non-verbal communication (i.e. eye contact, voice modulation, body language) effectively?
• Did the presenter use language and terminology that was clear, jargon-free, and understandable to a gerneral audience?
• Did the presentation follow a logical sequence?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation? Did they elaborate for too long on one aspect, or did the presentation feel rushed?

Comprehension:

• Did the talk help you to understand the scholarly research being undertaken?
• Did the presenter clearly outline the nature and purpose of their research?
• Did the presenter clearly indicate the fascinating or compelling aspects of their research?
• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?

Engagement:

• Was the talk engaging?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain the audience's attention?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their work?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialise or generalise their research?
• Did the talk inspire you to want to know more?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?