Students’ degree projects in focus as SLU celebrates Thesis Day 2026

This year, Thesis Day took place at Ultuna on 29 May and at Alnarp on 4 June. The programme included five oral presentations at each campus, poster exhibitions, awards for achievements such as best poster, networking opportunities for students, staff and alumni, and celebratory activities.

– Thesis day showcases both the scientific expertise and the educational excellence at SLU, delivered by very enthusiastic young talents. I was struck by the breadth of research that was presented by the students, as well as the quality of their work. This gives me confidence in the future for SLU and its alumni, as well as personal motivation to contribute to SLU’s mission, says Dirk Jan de Koning, Pro Vice-Chancellor, responsible for research infrastructure.

A central part of Thesis Day is the poster exhibition. All students completing a degree project or independent project at bachelor’s or master’s level during the current academic year were invited to participate by creating a popular science poster.

– It is good to present your findings to the public and reflect on what you have learned during your studies. My thesis is about behavioural economics and the relationship between observed choices and stated preferences, says Shahmeer Akhtar, a student in the master’s programme Agricultural, Food Environmental and Policy Analysis (AFEPA) at Ultuna.

A welcome conclusion to an intensive study period

This year, visitors could view 64 posters at Ultuna and 42 at Alnarp. The event is open to the public, allowing family members, friends and other interested visitors to learn more about the students’ work and results. 

– Thesis Day gives students an opportunity to showcase their projects to friends and family, and it is nice to see how proud they are of their posters and presentations. It is a festive and appreciated conclusion to an intensive study period, say Karin Bennmarker and Annica Hultfeldt, who organise Thesis Day.

Anna Bugyra, a student in the master’s programme Horticultural Science at Alnarp:

– I want to make research easier for everyone to understand. There can be a lot of long words, and sometimes research is not so easy to understand for those who do not study science. But it is possible to make it so that everyone can understand and read about what is happening at SLU, says Anna Bugyra, who wrote about Textile Waste & White-Rot Fungi.

Presentation on stage

One of the five students who presented their work on stage in Uppsala was Cassandra Christoffersson, who completed her bachelor’s thesis in biology and environmental science on wolves’ birth weight.

– It feels fun and a little nerve-racking because I am going to present my work on stage. It is a great opportunity to meet others who are presenting their bachelor’s and master’s theses and to connect with the alumni who are here, says Cassandra Christoffersson.

Student Sara Marolt also appreciated the opportunity to present her work on stage:

– I really enjoyed presenting at Thesis day! You spend a really long time working on your project, so it feels very rewarding to get to show your result to others. I also really enjoyed getting the chance to see other people’s projects - I definitely learned a lot of new things! she says.

In connection with Thesis Day, the Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Crop Production Science organised graduation ceremonies in both Ultuna and Alnarp.

Read more about the oral presentations and the day in Ultuna

Read more about the oral presentations and the day in Alnarp