Annual Conferences at Mason

George Mason University's graduate students have the opportunity to present their research and studies to their peers, faculty, staff, and guests at several conferences offered across the university each year. These spaces provide graduate students the chance to practice their skills in presentation delivery and communication. 

George Mason University Conferences & Research Competitions

  • Three Minute Thesis (3MT®): A research communication competition in which doctoral candidates present their dissertation research to a non-specialist audience in three minutes. 

  • Research Poster Competition: This contest provides a platform for graduate students to showcase their work prominently and compete for awards based on the quality of their posters, as evaluated by a panel of judges.   

  • Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference: A one-day event highlighting graduate student research, sparking discussion across disciplines. 

Your college may also offer specific conference opportunities! Check with your specific college and/or your advisor for more information. For example: 

Does your college host a recurring conference that you would like to see added to this list? Please email Alyssa Bivins, Graduate Career and Professional Development Program Coordinator with the relevant information. 

Students participating in conferences are encouraged to take advantage of the Communication Academy program which aims to help students improve their writing, communication, and academic presentation abilities. 

“Hearing about all the research the other graduate students are working on was amazing, and it was a great way to practice talking about my own research in a clear and concise way.”

— Mason Psychology PhD student Brittany Thompson