Communicating Research

Introduction

Research Presentation Series 

This series has been specifically designed to support graduate students and postdocs who are preparing to give a broad range of research presentations at conferences and symposiums. The series of workshop sessions are designed to support students who are seeking insight on how to outline and design an engaging presentation or poster, and improve their presentation skills. UVA graduate students and postdocs who attend 2 of the 5 sessions in this series will receive a digital badge. The badge will be issued by PhD Plus through Credly, a badging platform.

REGISTER HERE

 

Spring 2025 Session Topics

 

Grad Thesis SLAM

This exciting competition, modified from the 3 Minute Thesis model, takes place every April. PhD Plus hosts a series of workshops leading up to the competition to help students craft and practice effective 3-minute presentations of their research for general audiences. Students participating in Grad Thesis SLAM are strongly encouraged to participate in the Preparation Series (see below).

Find more details about the competition and Preparation Series here. 

 

Preparation Series Overview

Every speaker has their own unique style and research story. Learn how to be your best as you prepare to present your research at the 2025 Grad Thesis SLAM. You will learn, apply, and practice essential presentation skills working solo and with other students. Homework assignments and additional learning materials will help you build your three-minute talk. Even if you don’t plan to compete, we welcome you to join us to discover how to become a more confident, engaging, and compelling speaker. All virtual sessions will take place on Zoom. UVA PhD candidates (and equivalent) who attend all 4 sessions in this series will receive a digital badge. The badge will be issued by PhD Plus through Credly, a badging platform.

TOPICS

  1. What is the Grad Thesis SLAM & How Do I Get Started? | Feb. 12, 3:00-4:00 pm
  2. Engaging Your Audience & Telling a Compelling Story | Feb. 26, 3:00-4:30 pm 
  3. Slide Design & Presentation Skills | Mar. 5, 3:00-4:30 pm 
  4. Practice Your Presentation & Receive Peer Feedback | Mar. 19 or Mar. 20, 12:00-5:30 pm

 

Research Communication Series, Level 1 

This series exposes graduate students and postdocs to the fundamentals of communicating their research to a range of audiences. Participants learn how to craft engaging and clear messages for a variety of audiences, practice presenting their research through different mediums, and learn about tools they can use to clarify their messages. UVA graduate students and postdocs who attend 3 of the 4 sessions in this series will receive a digital badge. The badge will be issued by PhD Plus through Credly, a badging platform.

Research Communication will be offered in the Fall of 2025.

 

Fall 2024 Session Topics

 

Writing Op-Eds: Translating Your Research to a Broad Audience 

Interested in converting your academic writing and research to make it more accessible for broad audiences? Our popular PhD Plus Writing Op-Eds series helps you learn how to do just that! Over the course of 5 weeks (on Zoom), you’ll learn strategies and mechanics of writing op-eds (opinion-editorials) and how they differ from academic writing.

READ MORE

 

"Made by History" Editorial Workshop - J-Term 

PhD Plus, GAGE (Governing America in a Global Era), and the Jefferson Scholars Foundation National Fellowship Program host this editorial workshop designed and taught by the editors of TIME's “Made by History” column (previously published in the Washington Post). Over the course of ten days in January, students engage in a virtual “boot camp” that combines online training sessions on Zoom, short editing assignments and one-on-one mentoring. Many participants have had their op-eds published in the Made by History column. See our panel discussion featuring former participants on YouTube. The Call for Applications is released every October. The workshop is open to PhD students whose work is shaped by historical perspectives. Successful applicants are paid a stipend of $750. 

 

Questions about these or other Research Communication offerings? Contact Assistant Director of Research Communication Sam Lake