The Canadian Association of Graduate Studies (CAGS) announced earlier this month that it is sponsoring the first national English language Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition in May of 2014.
UBC’s top finalist will be invited to compete in the Western Regional Final to be held May 2, 2014 at the University of Calgary. The winner of the national virtual competition will be chosen from nine finalists from the three regional competitions (Western, Eastern and Ontario) and announced June 12, 2014. Both master’s and doctoral level students are eligible.
UBC was one of the first universities in North America to host a 3MT competition, when it held the inaugural 3MT @UBC in 2011. Every year heats are held across campus beginning in February, with winners moving on to the UBC-wide Semi-Finals and Finals in March.
“For us the announcement of a national event couldn’t come at a better time,” says UBC Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Dr. Susan Porter. “Right now, all across the UBC campus Faculties and departments are organizing heats for February and March, and we are hoping the news that 3MT is going national will encourage even greater numbers of graduate students, faculty, volunteers and sponsors to participate in the various UBC events.”
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an academic competition that assists current graduate students with fostering effective presentation and communication skills. Participants have just three minutes to explain the breadth and significance of their research project to a non-specialist audience. Launched in 2008 at the University of Queensland, 3MT is now held at universities around the world.
UBC graduate students considering participating can find out more Wednesday, February 12 during an in-person workshop or via an informational webinar. Members of the community interested in sponsorship, heat organization, judging or volunteering for UBC 3MT events are invited to visit the website 3mt.grad.ubc.ca or email Jacqui.brinkman@ubc.ca for more information.
More on the inaugural Canadian national English language 3MT competition from CAGS.
More on the CAGS & ACFAS sponsored Canadian national French language 3MT competition.
More from the U of Queensland on bringing 3MT to your university.
