Research Day

Overview

3-Minute Thesis Competition is a global competition founded by the University of Queensland. It is geared to cultivate academic, presentation and research communication skills. The competition is open to BU undergraduate and graduate students. To be eligible to participate in the competition, the candidate must be a Bishop’s University undergraduate or graduate student in any field or discipline and must present a research project to which they made an active and significant contribution.

NEW FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY:

Bishop’s University is happy to announce that we will be participating in the 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition season at the local and regional levels!

Bishop’s University will be responsible for covering the costs associated with advancing their student through each level of the competition, including travel and accommodations.

The Eastern Regional will showcase the winners of local 3MT competitions held at participating institutions in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland. Each participating institution will send one student to compete, for a total of 15 competitors. The top two finalists from the 2025 Eastern Regional will advance to the National 3MT.

Prizes

Three prizes ($250, $150, and $100) will be awarded in each of these three categories:

1. Undergraduate Students – Natural Sciences & Mathematics;
2. Undergraduate Students – Social Sciences, Humanities, Education and Business;
3. Graduate Students

Contest Rules

• One entry per participant;
• Participant will present their submission in-person;
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum. Exceeding three minutes will cause a participant to be disqualified. The timer begins when a participant starts their presentation through either speech or movement;
• Submission must only include the participant speaking and ONE static slide
• No additional electronic media (e.g., sound, video files), no props (e.g. costume, laboratory equipment, musical instrument), only spoken words (e.g. no poems, raps or songs);
• Presentation is to commence from the stage;
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Evaluation Criteria

3-Minute Thesis Competition will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary committee. Members of the jury will evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:

• Presentation Skills (e.g. clear voice, rhythm, fluidity, presence, passion, attention from audience)
• Scientific Communication Skills (e.g. use of lay language, metaphors and analogies, avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology)
• Structure and Content (e.g. clear and logical sequence, provide background and significance, describe impact and results, adequate balance of time spent on each section)