3MT (Three Minute Thesis)

At Western University, I was involved with the 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition, research communication competition, when I was in my second year in the PhD program. I competed against students across the different faculties of the University and became a finalist. This meant that I was in the top 20 students in the entire University to go on the big stage (Davenport Theatre) and give my speech discussing my PhD dissertation. I was the only student in the law school to compete and make it as far as I did in the competition.

In the 3MT, graduate students had three minutes or less to present their research and its impact to a panel of non-specialist judges and peers. I gained several skills including speech writing, communication skills, and staying calm before a speech.

Though I did not win the competition, I gained an appreciation for the art of public speaking, and a desire to do more in the future. In fact, I got involved in several conferences at Western and since graduation, I have visited some Toastmasters clubs and met others who like to present as much as I do. I know that I will always be interested in this type of work in the future.