Laney Graduate School’s 3MT and Master’s Showcase


The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®️) and Master's Showcase are opportunities for LGS PhD candidates and master's students to gain experience in communicating the significance of their research to a non-specialist audience in 3 minutes or less.

Preliminary Round: All eligible applicants will compete in the in-person preliminary round the week of February 10-13, 2026. In this round, students will be assigned a 3-minute timeslot in which to present their thesis to the judges.

Finals Round: Finalists will be selected from the preliminary round presentations and will compete in the in-person 3MT & Master's Showcase finals live event on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The finals event is a fun celebration of student research that is open to all.

Application deadline: 12 p.m., January 30, 2026

Apply here

Why participate in 3MT or the Master's Showcase?

Benefits include the opportunity to:

  • share your work and its impact with a wider audience

  • enhance your ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience - in the 3MT competition, in an elevator talk, or at a family picnic

  • refine your public speaking and presentation skills

  • expand your professional network

  • gain media exposure - finalist videos are posted to Laney's YouTube Channel and winners are highlighted in Laney publications

  • be a part of a growing professional community

3MT at Emory

The competition is judged by a panel comprised of a diverse group of professionals (academic and non-academic) with a wide range of professional expertise. 

2026 3MT Timeline

Wednesday, December 3    Info Session - Hybrid format
Friday, January 30 Applications due
Week of February 2Public Speaking Workshop
February 10-13       Preliminary Competitors
Tuesday, March 17   3MT Dress Rehersal 
Wednesday, March 18    3MT and Master's Finals at The Hatchery

How It Works

Presentation Rules

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (eg. no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Next-generation Stem Cell Therapy via Multifunctional Nanosensors

2024 1st Place Winning Presentation - Next-generation Stem Cell Therapy via Multifunctional Nanosensors