University of Tartu doctoral researchers are invited to three-minute thesis competition

On 22 October, doctoral researchers of the University of Tartu have an opportunity to introduce their research results to the public in the format of a three-minute short lecture. Registration for this popular-science competition taking place at the University of Tartu Library conference hall is open until 10 October. The top three in the competition will receive financial travel support for professional development.

Every autumn, the University of Tartu three-minute thesis competition brings together doctoral researchers from various fields of research, their supervisors, and students interested in doctoral studies to get an overview of the research questions young researchers are working on and the challenges they are helping to solve. The competition takes place in two parts: the first features short lectures in Estonian, and the second in English. The top three contestants of both competitions will receive financial travel support for professional development. The audience will also choose their favourite.

The competition offers an opportunity to develop public speaking skills and present one’s research so that even listeners unfamiliar with the field can understand it. The three minutes should ideally include a quick overview of the problem that inspired the research, the methods used to address it, and the young researcher’s initial results.

Each lecture presented in the competition will be recorded on site, and participants will also be offered the opportunity to publish a popular-science article.

Those who want to hone their public speaking skills before the competition can take part in the elevator pitch workshop by Maret Ahonen on 15 October from 16–18.

For the rules of the competition, judging criteria, useful tips and other additional information, see the university’s website

Important dates

• Register for the competition by 10 October using the Estonian or English web form, depending on the language of your lecture. You can choose only one competition.
• On 15 October from 16–18, those interested can take part in Maret Ahonen’s elevator pitch workshop (in English) in room 103 of the Lossi 36 academic building in Tartu. You can sign up for the workshop in the competition’s registration form. The number of participants is limited.
• This year’s competition takes place on Wednesday, 22 October, at the conference hall of the University of Tartu Library. Everyone is welcome to listen to the lectures!

The competition is organised by the University of Tartu Office of Academic Affairs, Marketing and Communication Office and International Cooperation and Protocol Office.

English web form for registration

Further information of the competition