This competition started in Australia in 2008, in the form of the Three Minute Thesis. It arrived in the French-speaking world in 2012 through Acfas in Quebec, in Europe in 2013, and in Switzerland in 2015.

The aim is simple: allow doctoral students (or current-year PhDs) to publicize their research in a popularization of science competition focusing on relevance and eloquence. The time limit is strict: each candidate has 180 seconds and one slide to convince the jury with a concise, clear and simple presentation.

Universities taking part in the competition organize a local event. Several winners will then be selected to take part in the inter-university final organized by CUSO (Conférence Universitaire de Suisse Occidentale). This final will then select three winners who will be invited to take part in the international final.

Would you like to take part in this contest?

In order to participate, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be registered at the UNIGE as a doctoral student (PhD) during the current academic year, or have obtained your doctoral degree in the year preceding the international final of the competition;
• If you are a medical student, be enrolled in a PhD program (not an MD-PhD program);
• Be sufficiently advanced in your doctoral research project (more than one year of thesis);
• Be able to express yourself in French (all sessions, workshops and documents are in French);
• Have informed your thesis supervisor of your participation in the competition, and have settled any intellectual property issues;
• Have signed an image rights transfer agreement for the distribution of competition videos on the Internet;
• If selected for the UNIGE competition, be available to represent the UNIGE at the national final;
• If selected for the national competition, be available to represent Switzerland and the UNIGE at the international final (Fall following the national final) abroad, as well as at related activities.

How do I apply?

Complete the registration form for the 2025 edition.

On this form, you will be asked to confirm the support of your thesis supervisor. Here is a template you can use and complete.

Depending on the number of applications received, pre-selections may be made.
The shortlist is announced on November 13. A pre-final will be held on March 4.

Questions, doubts, hesitations? Please do not hesitate to contact us.

How do I prepare for the competition?

Taking part in this competition means benefiting from a wide range of content and formats to help candidates develop their ability to communicate to a wider audience, while gaining confidence and enjoyment on stage.

These scientific communication and popularization skills are an important element in both academic and non-academic careers. All of our training courses are free of charge, so make the most out of them!

Find below all the resources you need to prepare for the contest.

What should I prepare for the local final?

In preparation for the final, you will be asked to provide us with:

• One (and only one!) 16:9 ratio slide;
• A biographical note;
• The full title of your thesis;
• A popularized title of your thesis.

Workshops

UNIGE is organizing a workshop on theatrical techniques, to help you master the means of communication. 4 sessions will help you develop your ease on stage, interact with others and overcome stage fright.

New: a work session based on realistic performances will guide you in exploring popularization techniques, the advantages of a good presentation and the pitfalls to avoid.

Workshops organized by CUSO to develop your communication and scientific popularization skills. Priority is given to those registered for the competition.

Coaching

Individual coaching will be offered between the pre-final and the final. It will be carried out by Fabien Carruzzo, neuroscience researcher at UNIGE and Mots de la Science’s popularizer. He will offer you two individual sessions to receive specific feedback on the different facets of your performance and to test your presentation before the final. Fabien will also be by your side for a relaxation and concentration warm-up just before you take to the stage for the pre-final and final.
Find out more about Fabien Carruzzo.

Past editions

For inspiration and help in preparing your presentation and materials, take a look at the performances of previous contestants. You'll discover a wide range of presentations with bold narrative styles and visual support!

The organizing team can answer your questions about the organization of the contest, its functioning, or any other technical aspect.

The jury will be composed of 3 to 5 members, some of whom come from different fields and academic backgrounds, some are specialists in communication, and others are from society and curious to discover the research conducted at the university.

Photos and short portrait films of the candidates selected at the pre-final stage will be produced and promoted on social networks.

The event will be filmed and broadcast on Léman Bleu and on the competition web page. A video clip of each candidate’s performance will be made available.

Prizes will be awarded: CHF 1,000, CHF 750 and CHF 500 respectively for the three jury prizes, and CHF 500 for the public prize.

All finalists will also receive a certificate of participation, highlighting the skills acquired in preparation for the competition. This certificate can be included in each candidate’s professional file, to showcase their skills to any future employer.