Research Slam
A selection of talented undergraduate researchers are challenged to share their projects and creative works to a lay audience in five minutes, using only five slides.
Co-hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research and University Libraries
Target Audience
Everyone is welcome to come and hear what our creative NC State undergraduate researchers have to share. In particular, students who are curious to get involved in research are encouraged to attend and ask questions. This is a great opportunity to see the many forms of research, brainstorm ideas, and network with other students. Friends and family of presenters, plus community members are especially welcome to come and support the Wolfpack. We love to have you visit!
Event Dates
Fall 2024 Research Slam
October 23, 2024
DH Hill Jr Library Fishbowl Forum
Spring 2025 Research Slam
March 5, 2025
DH Hill Jr Library Fishbowl Forum
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Schedule
4:30-6:00 P.M.
Presenters deliver five minute talks, back-to-back, followed by Q&A, followed by time for socializing.
Speaker Selection Process
Undergraduate speakers must first be nominated by their research mentors or other faculty or staff at NC State. The Office of Undergraduate Research puts out a call before each event asking faculty and staff across the campus to nominate students whom they believe can describe their research in an engaging manner to a lay audience.
Nominees are then contacted by the Office of Undergraduate Research and asked to provide additional information about themselves and their research for continued consideration by the Research Slam review team who will make the final determination of student speakers. Only five to six nominees will be selected to present. Based on the qualify of submitted materials, non-selected students may be acknowledged as runners-up.
Class or Group Participation
We welcome instructors and group leads advertising the Research Slam to their students as an optional professional development activity to attend. If you would like to require attendance or need to document attendance by your students, we ask that you please reach out to us (undergraduate-research@ncsu.edu) so that we can work together on the best arrangements for all parties.
FAQs
I’ve been nominated for the research slam, how can I improve my chances of being selected?
Nominees will be asked to provide a brief description of their research for a lay audience. Descriptions that avoid field-specific jargon (or define it when unavoidable) score highest.
Additionally, we recommend including information about the significance of the work to the average person. For especially complex topics, consider creating an analogy to get the key points across.
We strongly advise against using an abstract that was written previously for a formal presentation or publication. These tend to be very jargon heavy.
How can I improve my research communication to lay audiences?
The Office of Undergraduate Research hosts professional development workshops throughout the year. Many of these discuss best practices in communicating/translating your research. We recommend attending one or more.
There is also an entire field of research (science/research communication) dedicated to helping researchers improve their public engagement skills. We can show you how to find current literature covering data-driven best practices.
Lastly, Kudos has resources that are freely available to researchers that offer support for public engagement with research. These include webinars, guides, and tools for crafting communication about your research and tracking the success/reach of social media posts about it.
I would like to nominate one or more of my students. What information do I need to prepare/send?
Faculty and staff need only submit the name and email of any student they would like to nominate. The Office of Undergraduate Research will take care of the rest.
In advance of the fall or spring Research Slam, the OUR will put out a call for nominations along with any special details about the upcoming event (e.g. any themes or other special features).
May I nominate more than one student for the research slam?
Yes, please nominate any/all students who you believe will do a good job of explaining their research to a lay audience?
May I nominate students to present as a team?
Yes, but team presentations must stay within the five minute and five slide parameters.
May I nominate a student whose research was part of a course I taught?
Yes, projects from Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) or similar courses are welcome at the Research Slam!
My/my student’s research is outside of STEM, would it be considered for the Research Slam?
Yes, research in all fields belongs at the Research Slam!
Non-STEM nominations are especially encouraged to ensure a balanced celebration of research at NC State.
NC State is committed to providing an inclusive environment and, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before the event. Direct accommodation requests to 919-513-0095.