About the contest
The primary aim of the contest „Teadus 3 minutiga“ ja sellele eelnevate koolituste peamine eesmärk on pakkuda noortele teadlastele praktilist kogemust avalikkuse ees esinemiseks ja oma teadustöö tutvustamiseks. Üritustesarja laiem eesmärk on eestikeelse teaduskommunikatsiooni ja teadusliku sõnavara edendamine.
One of the initiators and long-standing driving forces behind the competition, Academician Tarmo Soomere has emphasised that the essence of the three-minute lecture is neither the lecture itself nor the precise use of 180 seconds: “The point lies elsewhere. The point is to learn how to cope with unusual and highly responsible situations. Situations in which, despite the circumstances, one must be able to articulate one’s position briefly, clearly, and precisely.”
Since 2026, the training programme and the final gala competition are organised by the Estonian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the Estonian Doctoral School. The organising team also includes the Estonian Research Council and Estonian Young Academy of Sciences.
Doktorikooli üldkoordinaator Monika Tasa, ütles, et konkursi jätkumine on oluline selleks, et eri valdkondade doktorandid saaksid omavahel lõimuda ning kõrgetasemeliste koolitajate ja üksteise toel oma väljendusoskusi lihvida. “Lõppkokkuvõttes võidame sellest kõik, kui meie noored teadlased oskavad lihtsas keeles selgitada, millega nad tegelevad.”
The 2026 contest
The first training session of the 2026 competition took place on 22–24 May at the Heimtali Museum of the Estonian National Museum (ERM), located in a historic village schoolhouse. Fourteen doctoral candidates participated in the programme, developing skills in communicating scientific messages clearly, writing popular science articles, overcoming presentation anxiety, engaging audiences, and presenting effectively on camera.
A follow-up training session will be held on 28 September and will focus on further developing participants’ on-camera presentation skills.
The competition will culminate in a public final gala on 6 October, where doctoral researchers will present their three-minute research talks before a live audience.
