Thesis Talk 2026

Thesis Talk 2026 - Terms and conditions of the contest

Thesis Talk 2026 - Call (English version)

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 your presentation. Participants can choose the language of their presentation (English or Spanish). 

THESIS TALK is inspired by  Three Minute Thesis (3MT), originally created by the University of Queensland (Australia) in 2008, and replicated by more than 200 universities around the globe. Through this initiative, the Doctoral School highlights the importance of the research projects carried out by our PhD students and encourages their dissemination through a format and language adapted to the non-specialized audience. 

Thesis Talk 2026 is open to all our students enrolled in a Ph.D. program during the 2025/2026 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 cadidacy, you must complete the apllication in two steps:

- Filling and submitting the application form before March 17th 2026 (23:59 CET)

You need to attach this autorization of participation form, signed by your thesis director

- Send your presentation video + static slide to escueladoctorado@uc3m.es (may be as file attachemnts or links to clud storage) before May 6th 2026 (23:59 CET)

Thesis Talk ins a 2-credit activity of our research skills training program (transversal trainin)

Reigstration is free

Las y los participantes deberán enviar su presentación en formato vídeo, y deberán tener en cuenta las siguientes consideraciones:

• Idioma: castellano o inglés (nivel mínimo exigido: C1 o equivalente)
• Límite de tiempo: 4 minutos. Las presentaciones que sobrepasen dicha extensión no serán admitidas.
• Se puede elegir libremente el título de la presentación. Puede ser diferente al título de la tesis doctoral.
• Se puede aportar una diapositiva/imagen fija (PowerPoint o similar). La diapositiva no puede contener ningún elemento dinámico (animaciones, transiciones, elementos que aparezcan más tarde…). Tampoco puede contener el nombre del participante, el título de la investigación ni afiliación académica o profesional.
• La diapositiva no puede insertarse en el vídeo;  se debe enviar por separado para que sea editada posteriormente.
• No se puede utilizar contenido multimedia adicional (p. ej. archivos de audio o vídeo)
• No se permiten accesorios de apoyo (disfraces, instrumentos musicales, equipo de laboratorio)
• La presentación debe ser hablada (no se permiten poemas, canciones o raps); se pueden citar otros autores si las citas son relevantes para el tema de la tesis.

Características técnicas:

• La grabación puede realizarse con cualquier dispositivo (móvil, webcam, cámara…)
• Orientación: Horizontal
• Formato: mp4
• El vídeo no puede mostrar cortes o haber seguido procesos de edición; excepto por cortes al principio y al final para eliminar detalles menores (encender y apagar la cámara, etc).

Recomendaciones:

• Resolución: 1920 x 1080
• Plano fijo medio centrado
• El fondo debe ser neutro o difuminado para centrar la atención en la presentación.
• Se recomienda grabar el vídeo en una localización interior, silenciosa, con luz natural, evitando iluminación artificial o iluminación posterior.

Recomendaciones de distribución de tiempos:

• 15-30 segundos: alcance y propósito del proyecto de investigación.
• 120-150 segundos: contribución personal del/la estudiante, metodología y resultados.
• 30-60 segundos: significado de la investigación y resultados clave de la misma.

Participants can prepare their presentation in two ways:

1- Preparatory workshops of the Doctoral School (optional)

Workshop in Spanish (6 hours). 

--- Teacher: Mercedes Cavanillas

--- Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 14 April from 10:30h a 13:30h, online, 12 seats

This workshop is a reduced version of the workshop “Efficient presentations” from our catalog of research skills training (transversal training).

Workshop in English (6 hours). Minimum English level required: C1 or equivalent.

--- Teacher: Trisha Ballsrud

--- Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 April from 09:30h a 12:30h , on-site (Leganés campus), 8 seats

Free registration. To sign up for these workshops:

- Applicants must check this option on the application 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): 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |  2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016

3MT Presentations | The University of Queensland (Australia)

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 (scheduled for June 10th 2026) - Aula Magna of Getafe campus. 

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.

ON-SITE FINAL EVENT: Please keep in mind that if your presentation is selected for the Final, it is an event that requires your presence at the University on the indicated date. You will not be able to participate remotely.

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, vocal range, pace, confident delivery...
• Use an appropriate language for a non-specialist audience, without trivializing the research.

The slide must:

• Enhance the content of the presentation, not replace it.

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

Prizes subject to current tax legislation.

Further information

Please check the information on the official call for the most comprehensive and complete information.

We also recommend checking our  Thesis Talk - FAQ

For further questions, please contact escueladoctorado@uc3m.es