Thesis Talk 2024

THESIS TALK 2024

Thesis Talk 2024 - Terms and conditions of the call

Through Thesis Talk, our Ph.D. candidates are welcome to present their research projects before a non-specialist audience in just 4 minutes, focusing on the what, how and why of their research. A single static slide is permitted to enhance their presentation. Participants can choose the language of their presentation (English or Spanish).

Thesis Talk 2024 is open to all our students enrolled in a Ph.D. program during the 2023/2024 academic year, including those who have participated in previous editions.

This year’s edition will consist of two stages: an online pre-selection and an on-site final event.

If you are interested in submitting your candidacy, you must complete the application in two steps:

- Filling and submitting the application form before March 21st 2024 (23:59 CET)

* You need to attach this documento de autorización signed by your thesis advisor.

- Send your presentation video + static slide to escueladoctorado@uc3m.es (may be as file attachments or links to cloud storage) before April 25th 2024 (23:59 CET)

Thesis Talk is a 2-credit activity of our research skills training program (formación transversal). Registration is free.

Participants are required to submit their presentations for the preselection on a digital format with the following features:

• Language: Spanish or English (minimum level of language proficiency required: C1 or equivalent).
• Time limit: 4 minutes. Presentations over that limit will be disregarded.
• Participants can freely choose the title of the presentation.It can also be different from that of the thesis.
• A single static slide (PowerPoint or similar) is permitted. The slide cannot feature any dynamic elements (transitions, animations…), participant’s name, title of presentation or any academic or professional affiliations.
• The slide will not be inserted in the video but submitted to the Doctoral School as a separate file to be edited later.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) is permitted.
• No additional props (costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations must be spoken (no poems, raps or songs). Quotes can be included if relevant to the thesis topic.

Technical features:

• Recording can be made on any device (cell phone, PC, camera, etc.) 
• Horizontal orientation 
• Format: mp4
• The video cannot be cut or edited

Recommendations:

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Centered, medium shot (from chest upwards)
• Any background is permitted 
• It is recommended to record the video in a quiet interior environment, with natural daylight, and avoid artificial or back lighting.

Recommended time allocation:

15-50 seconds: scope and purpose of the project 

120-150 seconds: student’s contribution, methodology and outcomes 

30-60 seconds: significance and contribution of the outcomes

Participants can prepare their presentation in two ways:

1- Preparatory workshops of the Doctoral School (optional)

• Workshop in Spanish (6 hours). 
• Teacher: Mercedes Cavanillas
• Tues 9 and Mon 15 April  from 10h to 13h, online, 12 seats

• Workshop in English (6 hours). Minimum English level required: C1 or equivalent.
• Teacher: Juan Camacho
• Tues 16 and Thurs 18 April from 10h to 13h , online, 6 seats

These workshops are a reduced version of the workshop “Efficient presentations” from our catalog of research skills training (formación transversal).

Free registration. To sign up for these workshops:

- Applicants must check this option on the registration form.

- The language of the workshop must be the same as the presentation.

- Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

- Commitment to attend both sessions is required.

2- Self-preparation. The following material can be useful:

Thesis Talk (previous editions): 2023 |  2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016

3MT Presentations | The University of Queensland (Australia)

3MT Presentations | University of Warwick (Reino Unido)

3MT Presentations | Aarhus University (Dinamarca)

How to win the 3MT. Original from thesiswhisperer.com

Giving oral presentations ( nature education)

Pre-selection (estimated for second half of May)

Once the registration has been completed, videos will be shared only with the members of the Jury designated by the Dean of the Doctoral School. The Jury will evaluate the videos and select a shortlist of 15* participants to qualify for the final. The videos will be publicly available then.

*Number is subject to change according to the Jury’s criteria.

 

Final (estimated for first half of June) 

Finalists will deliver their presentation in person. A jury of experts will assess the presentations and choose the three best according to the evaluation criteria established in these contest rules. The jury’s decision will be announced at the end of the final.

The presentation must:

• Focus on research work and personal contribution.
• Provide understanding of background and significance of research.
• Describe methodology and key results of research.
• Follow a clear, logical sequence.

The presenter must: 

• Capture the  attention of the audience: presence, eye contact, vocal range, pace, confident stance.
• Use an appropriate language for a non-specialist audience, without trivializing the research.

The slide must:

• Enhance the content of the presentation.

The three best presentations will receive prizes of €900, €600 and €300.

Prizes subject to current tax legislation.

More information

Please check the information on the official call for the most comprehensive and complete information: Thesis Talk 2024 - Terms and conditions of the call

We also recommend checking our Thesis Talk - FAQ

For further questions, please contact: escueladoctorado@uc3m.es