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Grad SLAM Preparation Resources

2023 Workshops & Coaching

2023 Grad SLAM Information Sessions

These virtual sessions provide an overview of Grad SLAM 2023, tips on how to get started, and strategies for connecting with past participants to learn from their experiences.  

  • Wednesday, January 18th at 12pm PST
  • Tuesday, January 24th at 3pm PST
  • Thursday, February 2nd at 11am PST

 Information session recording available on the GEPA YouTube Channel

2023 Support & Coaching Sessions

Drop-In Coaching from the Center for Student Involvement

Coaching sessions are drop-in spaces for participants to work on their presentations, receive and give feedback on research talks, and build confidence as they prepare for Grad SLAM. Bring your slide!

iLead Workshops: 

iLead is a drop-in workshop program on various communication and leadership topics, the following sessions would be especially useful for students preparing for Grad SLAM. 

  • Presenting with Visuals: Public speaking and presenting to groups is among the top fears for many people. Presenting with visual aids such as a PowerPoint slide deck can be an added stressor. Come learn some presentation skills, PowerPoint do's/don'ts, and delivery techniques. | Monday, January 30th, 3-3:50pm PST | Marshall College Room | RSVP Here
  • Distilling Research: Getting the juicy bits to others: In this workshop, we will talk about the importance of making research and complex findings accessible to other people. With those attending, participants will practice making your work accessible to others in an interactive activity. | Tuesday, February 7th, 2-3:20pm PST | Marshall College Room | RSVP Here

Writing Hub Workshops: 

These workshops will explore useful strategies for connecting your highly-specialized research to more general audiences. 

  • Telling a Research Story: The best academic writing blends the technical details of the research with a compelling story for the reader to follow. In this workshop, we'll explore strategies for writing scientific papers through telling a research story. We will discuss ways your research involves characters in motion, and practice putting together a research story plot for your reader. | Wednesday, January 18th, 2pm PST | RSVP Here
  • Connecting with Non-Expert Audiences: Throughout your academic career, you will be asked to communicate complex information to non-experts. Non-experts means academics from other fields, students, industry professionals or policy makers, and the public. In this workshop, you’ll learn strategies for simplifying complex information to connect with audiences outside your field of expertise. | Friday, February 17 at 9am PST | RSVP Here

Ongoing Support at the Writing Hub

Grad SLAM participants can get ongoing, individualized support from the Graduate Writing Consultants at the Writing Hub.  Writing Consultants can help you think through and articulate your ideas thoughtfully.  Consultants are available for 30 and 60 minute one-on-one appointments, Sunday through Friday.  Make an appointment at writinghub.ucsd.edu.

Additional Resources

Inspiration

  • TED Talks: Approximately 3-minute talks on “ideas worth spreading”
  • PhD Comics Two-Minute Thesis: PhD Comics challenged graduate students to explain their work in two minutes – the best have been turned into videos!
  • 3 Minute Thesis Competition Winners: Winning presentations from a multi-university thesis competition in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and the South Pacific