3MT
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
Check out
this informational video
on the 2026 Emory 3MT & Master’s Showcase Competition.
2026 3MT and Master's Showcase Timeline
Friday, January 23
Communicating Research Concisely & Effectively: A Workshop
Friday, January 30
Applications due
Tuesday, February 3
Public Speaking Workshop
February 10-13
Preliminary Competitors
Tuesday, March 17
3MT & Master's Dress Rehearsal for Finalists
Wednesday, March 18
3MT and Master's Showcase 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 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
How a Virus Makes Spaghetti
2025 1st Place Winning 3MT Presentation – Jonathan Einterz Owen, “How a Virus Makes Spaghetti”
Professional Development
Career Development
Build Skills
Grant Writing Resources
Laney Graduate School’s 3MT and Master’s Showcase
Online Resources
Exploring Careers
Managing the Job Search
Fellowships and Grants
Professional Development Support Funds
Teaching Assistant Training Opportunity (TATTO)
JPE
Mentoring
Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning
Experiential Learning and Internships
Prizes
3MT & Master's Showcase Winners — $750
3MT Runner-up — $500
3MT & Master's Showcase People's Choice Award — $250
3MT Competition Winners
2025:
Jonathan Einterz Owen
2024:
Anamik Jhunjhunwala
2023:
Benjamin Dratch
2022:
Gabrielle Delima
2021:
Misael Romero-Reyes
2019:
Lauren Edwards
2018:
Osric Forrest
2017:
Dave Matthews
2016:
Melanie Jacobson
Laney Contact
PDCP Team