On October 30 at 5 PM, join us at Emory University as PhD candidates compete to present their theses in three minutes or less for a chance to win a $250 cash prize.
Jointly organized by Villa Albertine and France Science from the Consulate General of France in Atlanta, the “Pitch Your Doctoral Thesis” competition invites PhD students to present their research in just 180 seconds. Inspired by the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) format, this challenge encourages participants to deliver a clear, concise, and compelling presentation that can be understood by a non-specialist audience. The competition helps students sharpen their presentation, research, communication, and public speaking skills, while strengthening their ability to explain complex ideas in accessible terms.
The event is free and open to all upon registration. Interested presenters should review the call for applications below and submit all materials by Monday, September 15.
Event Details
October 30, 2025 | 5 PM – 7 PM | Emory University
The competition will feature doctoral students from two categories:
-
PhD candidates in French and Francophone studies from Emory, Duke, and the University of Georgia, Athens.
-
PhD candidates in STEM fields currently studying at universities across the Southeast—Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee—who are either French nationals or working under the supervision of a French or Francophone Principal Investigator.
Hosted by a comedian, the evening promises lively and engaging presentations, with each competitor racing against the clock to make their research clear, compelling, and entertaining. A jury will deliberate and announce two winners (one per category) who will each receive a $250 prize.
Event highlights include welcome remarks, research presentations, jury deliberations and feedback, winner announcements, and light refreshments.
This free, interactive event is open to all. Graduate students interested in pursuing a PhD are especially encouraged to attend and discover the world of doctoral research in French and Francophone studies as well as STEM.
Please RSVP here.
Call for Applications
Interested in being one of the presenters? Carefully review the call for applications here and complete this form and all application materials by September 15, 2025.