Laurier graduate student researchers to compete at Three Minute Thesis Competition

March 8, 2023
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO — Various graduate students will compete for a chance to win cash prizes at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on Friday, March 24.

The competition challenges master’s and doctoral students to present their thesis or dissertation to an audience in three minutes or less. Competitors are allowed to use only one PowerPoint slide and cannot use any other props or visual aids.

“We very much look forward to hosting the 3MT competition for Laurier graduate students,” said Brent Wolfe, acting associate vice-president and dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. “This will be a great opportunity for our students to share their research in a unique and engaging format.”

A group of community and university leaders will score each presenter’s ability to engage the audience and explain the significance of their research in plain language. The panel of judges includes:

• Laura Mae Lindo, MPP Kitchener Centre
• Barrington Walker, associate vice-president, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Wilfrid Laurier University
• Jan Basso, assistant vice-president, Experiential Learning and Career Development, Wilfrid Laurier University

“Participating in the 3MT competition as a judge is such an exciting, energizing and positive experience,” said Basso. “It reinforces the pride and genuine appreciation I have for the strength of our students’ work.”

Competitors will vie for $1,750 in prizes and the winning graduate student will go on to represent Laurier at the provincial competition, which will be held at Queen’s University.

Developed in Australia by the University of Queensland in 2008, the 3MT challenge is now an annual event at graduate-level schools around the globe.

Laurier’s Three Minute Thesis competition will take place on Friday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Senate and Board Chamber located in the Paul Martin Centre on Laurier’s Waterloo campus. The event is free and open to all, with no registration required for spectators. For more information visit students.wlu.ca/3mt.