MT180 2026 at UNamur: Three winners will represent Namur’s research community in Gembloux

Beyond the competition itself, MT180 is a true exercise in science communication. As Aline Wilmet, a science communicator at Confluent des Savoirs and coach for the contestants, points out: “The competition aims, in particular, to highlight the next generation of scientists, encourage young researchers to communicate their work to the general public, and strengthen the dialogue between science and society. ” At UNamur, this approach is supported by concrete guidance: training, work on pitch structure, stress management, public speaking, and rephrasing. “The challenge isn’t to oversimplify,” emphasizes Aline Wilmet, “but to make cutting-edge research understandable and engaging for a broad audience without distorting it.” 

For the candidates, beyond the human connection it fosters, this exercise offers genuine educational value. Knowing how to explain one’s research clearly, choosing the right angle, conveying one’s passion without sacrificing precision: these are valuable skills for engaging with society, advocating for a project, teaching, speaking in the media, preparing an oral presentation at a conference, or delivering a public defense. MT180 thus reminds us that popularization is not an accessory to research, but an essential way to share it.

Nine candidates, nine research projects to discover!

The 2026 edition once again highlighted the diversity of research conducted at UNamur, ranging from chemistry to artificial intelligence, from microbiology to law, and including theoretical physics and political science.