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What is Your Science in a Nutshell 2025?

ORNL’s annual Your Science in a Nutshell challenges early-career researchers, fellows, and postdoctoral researchers to hone their Lightning Talk and gives them the opportunity to take science communication training and work one-on-one with a mentor. The competition is hosted by the Office of Research Education (ORE) and the Communications and Community Engagement Directorate.​

Note that our competition format has changed to 3 minutes and one content slide + title slide. 

First, second, and people’s choice winners enjoy lunch with Laboratory Director Stephen Streiffer and Deputy DIrector for Science and Technology Susan Hubbard. All finalists receive a professional-cut video of their Lightning Talk.

Who’s eligible to compete

Any current ORNL postdoctoral researcher or early career research or technical staff member who has an active appointment through May 2025 and who earned their terminal degree from January 2018 to December 2024 is eligible. Previous finalists are eligible to compete; they must go through the cell phone video judging phase and be selected as a finalist for the current competition. ORE will address any requests for exceptions to this eligibility rule on a case-by-case basis.

Why should I participate?

There are several good reasons to join the fun!

  • You can add your participation (and maybe your win!) to your CV.
  • This is a great professional development opportunity to learn how to effectively communicate your research and hone your presentation skills.You’ll finish with a strong Lightning Talk you can make on the spot and use in future job interviews or meetings.
  • This will be fun and challenging!
  • You’ll receive a professional-cut video that you are free to use to promote your research.
  • Did we mention lunch with the Laboratory Director and Deputy Director for Science and Technology?

What do I have to do?

See the contest calendar (right column) for important dates. Initial steps in the competition include submitting your intent to compete, attending science communication training, and submitting a 2-minute cell phone video for judging.
If you’re selected as a competition finalist, you will work with a mid- to senior-level researcher to hone your lightning talk and then compete in Your Science in a Nutshell competition on June 24.

How will my cell phone video and presentation be judged?

Cell phone videos will be evaluated by a team of judges from ORE and the Communications and Community Engagement Directorate. Approximately 12 finalists will be chosen.

Lightning Talks will be judged by an esteemed panel of judges from ORNL, the DOE Site Office, and the University of Tennessee.

Verbal feedback and quantitative and qualitative scoring will be used to determine first- and second-prize winners. In-person and online audiences will vote for a people’s choice winner.​