Engaging in outreach and open science

Publications should be made freely accessible as widely as possible. They are intended to be filed in an open archive, in particular HAL. Doctoral students shall affix the standardised signature of Sorbonne University to their publications, with reference to the rules of signature.

Law no. 2016-1321 of 7 October 2016 for a Digital Republic (according to Article L. 533-4.-I.-)

For any scientific work resulting from a research activity carried out in the framework of the functions of a researcher who is a civil servant or employee of a structure financed mainly from public funds and published in a periodical appearing at least once a year, its author has the right to digitally publish free of charge and in an open format, the final version of their manuscript accepted for publication, at most 6 months from the date of first publication for a publication in the field of science, technology and medicine and at most 12 months for a publication in the field of humanities and social sciences. The agreement of any co-authors is required. 

While respecting their commitment to confidentiality, doctoral students are encouraged to participate in scientific events organised by the doctoral school, as well as national and international events where they can present their research work. This is an opportunity to make themselves known, to meet researchers interested in the same themes, and to build a network. It is also an opportunity to discover, before their publication, the results of other researchers' work, which can be useful for the completion of the doctorate.

Doctoral students benefit from the same conditions as the permanent members of the research unit to which they are attached when participating in these scientific events. 

Doctoral students may organise seminars or colloquia themselves that allow colleagues or outsiders to present their work and exchange ideas. These events can, for example, be organised at the level of the laboratory, the research institute or the doctoral school. This is an opportunity for doctoral students to become familiar with the organisation of scientific events, an experience that they can put to good use in their portfolio and that enhances their CV. 

Doctoral students, as young researchers, are key players in contemporary research. They have an important role in the knowledge society. Making their thesis subject comprehensible to non-specialists contributes to the dissemination of knowledge. In addition to the pleasure of sharing, these communication exercises are very useful for doctoral students in their career plans: knowing how to simply explain the issues and results of their work in front of a recruiter or potential funder is essential. At Sorbonne University, they are given several opportunities to share their research with as many people as possible. They are organised by the Doctoral College, the Department of Science, Culture and Society and doctoral student associations. 

• Competition: My thesis in 180 seconds

The principle of the contest? The doctoral student has three minutes to make a clear, concise and convincing presentation of their research project. This annual competition is organised by the Conference of University Presidents (CPU) and the CNRS, and Sorbonne University has participated in it since 2014. The Doctoral College organises the final of the Sorbonne University Alliance to select the two candidates who will represent the institutions of the Alliance in the national semi-final and then, if the Sorbonne University candidates are selected, in the national final or even the international final (French-speaking). Several doctoral students from our institutions have been selected to participate in the national final: Eslem Ben Arous and Alexandra Sauvêtre in 2019, Mathieu Buonafine in 2016 who won the jury’s first prize in this final.

• Research subjects

"Research Stories" is a series of short videos that aims to promote the research work of doctoral students at Sorbonne University by embodying research through a journey, a history, by highlighting these men and women who are conducting and will conduct the research of tomorrow. They are asked three questions: who, what, why? 

• The Science Fair

Each October, Sorbonne University brings together its researchers, lecturers and laboratory staff to celebrate Science Day. Doctoral students can take part in this event and propose actions and activities and/or participate in those of their laboratory. 

• The Conversation 

The Conversation is an independent, not-for-profit, online medium that offers content from the academic community. The Culture, Science and Society Department can be asked by The Conversation to find specialists on a subject such as proposing topics to editors. 

• Festival: Researchers direct "Les chercheurs font leur cinéma"

The festival of very short films "Les chercheurs font leur cinéma" is organised every year by the association of doctoral students of Sorbonne University (Doc'UP). Its aim is to make scientific research and the daily life of young researchers accessible to the general public. Young researchers present their research in a 5-minute film in a fun and educational way. This festival is free and accessible to all. It encourages sharing and exchanges between filmmakers and the public. 

• Arts & Science Competition

Every year, the Doc'Up doctoral students' association organises a competition that gives doctoral students the opportunity to show their artistic talents and share their vision on a scientific theme in an original way. The work can be a photo, a photo montage, a painting, a poster or a model… 
At the end of the call for applications, about twenty creations are pre-selected and posted to the association's website. The works are then submitted to the vote of Internet users for the public prize and to a jury made up of professionals from the artistic and scientific worlds.