The 2022 "My thesis in 180 seconds" Final

Broadcast live, the final of "My thesis in 180 seconds" (MT180) took place last Thursday, March 10, with a limited audience, under the aegis of the President of Sorbonne University, Nathalie Drach-Temam.

Can you explain it in 3 minutes? The stopwatches are set for just 180 seconds—that’s all the time these young researchers have to make a clear and convincing presentation of their research projects. Organized throughout France by the CNRS and the Conference of University Presidents, the MT180 competition is an opportunity for doctoral candidates to combine science and public speaking. "By participating in this competition, you are ambassadors of the popularization of science," the President of Sorbonne University reminded the candidates.

The 18 Sorbonne University finalists took up the challenge of making their work accessible in front of a limited audience and a jury composed of researchers, journalists and consultants. This year, their performances could also be watched by hundreds of viewers on YouTube.

Selected by videoconference last February, the candidates benefited from preparative training in public speaking and scientific popularization with expert Alexandra de Kaenel.

At the end of this local final, three prizes were awarded:

• First prize from the jury was awarded to Nicolas Rivoallan, from the doctoral school Sciences pour l'ingénieur (UTC)
• Second prize was awarded to Janie Robert, third-year doctoral candidate from the Physiology, physiopathology and therapeutics graduate school.
• The public prize was awarded to Louison Lallemant, a third-year doctoral candidate from the Complexity of Life doctoral school.

The national final of MT180 will take place in June 2022