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?

2026 3MT and Master's Showcase Timeline

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 competition is judged by a panel of professionals with wide ranging academic and non-academic expertise.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

2025 3MT Winning Presentation