UCC hosts national French speaking three-minute thesis competition on European Doctoral Day

14 May 2026

University College Cork yesterday hosted the 2026 national finals of ‘Ma Thèse en 180 secondes’, a three-minute thesis competition for French speaking doctoral students.

The event took place on the inaugural European Doctoral Day (Wednesday 13th May), an initiative launched in 2026 that aims to highlight the pivotal role of PhD holders and of doctoral education in driving scientific excellence, innovation, and societal progress - both within academia and beyond. Over 170 events took place across Europe to mark the inaugural European Doctoral Day.

Organised by The Embassy of France in Ireland, The Irish Universities Association, and the Association for Franco-Irish Studies, the MT180 competition is open to all Irish based doctoral students who are able to deliver a presentation in French and to non-native French speakers. 9 finalists presented their research in three minutes, with the winner representing Ireland at the international 'Ma Thèse en 180 secondes' finals later this year.

The judging panel, chaired by H.E. Jenny Piaget, Ambassador of Switzerland to Ireland, announced the following doctoral students as competition winners:

Ma Thèse en 180 secondes results:

• 1st Place: Eléa Thuilier, University of Galway - CnamhAR: réalité augmentée et jeux vidéo actifs pour une pratique spotive motivante et efficace contre l'Ostéoporose.

• 2nd Place: Rachel Lapeyre, University College Cork - Développement d'un vaccin à adénovirus contre le staphylocoque doré.

• 3rd Place: Astrid Dedieu, University College Cork - Impacts des parcs éoliens offshore sur les oiseaux marins nichant en Irlande.

• Francophonie Prize: (for a non-native French speaker): Nial O’Reilly, University of Galway - Des nouvelles approches pour activiter le système immunitaire dans le cancer colorectal métastatique.

• Audience Prize: Eléa Thuilier, University of Galway - CnamhAR: réalité augmentée et jeux vidéo actifs pour une pratique spotive motivante et efficace contre l'Ostéoporose.

Commenting on the competition, UCC’s Dean of Doctoral Studies Professor Orla Lynch said: "On European Doctoral Day, UCC is delighted to host this event. The three minute thesis competition is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the groundbreaking research being conducted by French speaking doctoral students in Ireland. MT180 provides a platform for these students to enhance their communications skills by presenting their research to a diverse audience. I would like to extend my congratulations to Eléa Thuilier on her fantastic win and wish her every success representing Ireland at the international finals later in the year."