Educational Hub Event Celebrates Success: Aurora Students Excel in 3MTs
Over 40 educators, researchers, administrators, and students from seven Aurora partner universities – Palacký University Olomouc, Universität Innsbruck, University of Duisburg-Essen, Université Paris-Est Créteil, University of Iceland, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, and University Federico II of Naples —came together for a week to collaborate during the combined Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) for staff and students.
Sustainability Meets Culture: Interdisciplinary Insights and Engaging Dialogues Between Research Groups
The Educational Hubs meeting unveiled surprising commonalities among otherwise distinct disciplines. Members of the Sustainability and Climate Change group discovered valuable intersections with the Culture: Diversities and Identities group, leading to engaging discussions on topics such as ecocriticism and the management of natural resources. Notably, the connection between ecological farming, fertilizer management, and literary studies highlighted the synergies between environmental issues and cultural narratives.
The first four days of the week focused on multidisciplinary projects and initiatives in research and teaching, addressing themes like Cooperative Online International Learning (COIL) and the development of new bilateral partnerships. Janette Walde, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs at UIBK, expressed her excitement about the wealth of ideas generated in such a short timeframe. “It’s incredible how many implementation opportunities can emerge in such a short period!” Prof. Barbara Buchenau from UDE added, “The stunning backdrop of the Austrian mountains and the serenity of the surroundings allowed us to harness the power of nature and gain fresh scientific insights.”
Concise, compelling, and convincing: The 3MT competition showcases the art of science communication
A diverse and international group of students participated in training sessions on science communication, practicing the 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) presentation style developed at the University of Queensland. In this challenging format, participants present their research in just three minutes, supported by a single static slide and their voice. Under the guidance of science communication experts Suzanne Whitby, Stéphane Kenmoe, Melanie Bartos, and Toby Wikström, the students transformed their initial, uncertain attempts into clear and engaging presentations.
The event culminated on Friday, October 25, in a competition where an international jury evaluated the students’ 3MT presentations and conducted an online voting for an audience award. In front of a multidisciplinary audience, the finalists showcased remarkable expressiveness and communication skills. Marharyta Hodeieva from UPOL (“Healing Through Stories”), Juliette Direur from UPEC (“Can Breathing Be Dangerous?”), and Stéphanie Chedid from UPEC (“Transporting: Plants to Planes”) all received jury awards, with the latter also winning the audience award.
This event not only showcased the exceptional talent and creativity of Master’s and PhD students but also highlighted the power of collaboration across disciplinary boundaries. The connections made and insights gained during this week will undoubtedly inspire future projects and partnerships within Aurora and beyond.
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Aurora is a partnership of like-minded and closely collaborating research‑intensive European universities, who use their academic excellence to drive societal change.
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