Abstract submission is now closed. Registration for attendance remains open until April 3, 2026.
About Lightning Talk
- 12 finalists (10 UVA and 2 VT) will present during the main session of the symposium, presenting to all the attendees.
- Competition is designed to be inclusive for all disciplines.
- All competitors must participate in the in-person Preliminary Round on March 23–27.
- The preliminary round judges will select the finalists, separately for UVA and VT.
Why Participate?
Practice talking about research to non-specialists is a useful skill in many situations. In this process, you will learn how to distill work down to what’s most important. Furthermore, you will receive guidance and an opportunity to practice public speaking in a supportive environment. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finalists, as well as a special Audience Choice award.
- First place: $1000
- Second place: $750
- Third place: $500
- Audience Choice award: $500
Presentation Guidelines
The maximum duration of Lightning Talk is 5 minutes. Please note that presenters exceeding 5 minutes are automatically disqualified. Presentations begin when the presenter either moves, speaks, or uses media or a prop. Judges have the final decision on timing and disqualification.
Slides, Props & Media
All presentations must be PowerPoint slides, and animations are allowed. Video and audio are allowed, but must not exceed 15 seconds.The presenter can use props. However, props should be necessary to explain the research. Note cards and presenter notes are not allowed. Each presentation starts with a title slide, which does not count toward your time limit (a template will be provided).
Preliminary Round
Submission Requirements & Guidelines
All competitors must participate in the Preliminary Round. Abstract should be submitted by 11:59PM, March 16. Presentation for preliminary round should be done in PowerPoint format by the template. Preliminary round will take place in person on March 23-27 in Brown Library Conference Room 148.Presentations must be 5 minutes or less, with a maximum allowable total time of 5 minutes and 30 seconds, including a brief 30-second introduction.
For remote postdocs interested in the Lightning Talk competition who will also be in person for the April 17 Research Symposium, we will allow live-streamed, preliminary round presentations during the week of March 23–27.
*Please see Lightning Talk Submission Guidelines for specific requirement and Lightning Talk Template Slide for preliminary round PowerPoint slide preparation.
Accessibility Considerations
The closed caption function on PowerPoint will be turned on during the live presentations.
Final Competition
Remember your audience! Who are they? What do they already know? How do they get their information? What are their beliefs, personal interests, and lived experiences?
Audience Goals
- Desires: what do they care about (i.e., novel research approaches, interdisciplinary perspectives, research collaborations, societal relevance, hot topics in the news, family illness)
- Use/Empowerment: how can/will they use the information you share?
- Symposium Goals: showcase innovative research; encourage attendee participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many slides can I include? You are not limited to a certain number of slides, and PowerPoint animations are allowed. However, be very thoughtful with how much you can cover in the allotted time and focus on the story you want to tell.
- Can I use a Keynote, PDF, or other file types? No. Only PowerPoint slides are allowed.
- What happens if I exceed five minutes? Competitors who exceed 5 minutes will be disqualified. Judges have the final decision on disqualification.
- When do the 5 minutes start? You initiate your presentation through movement, speech, or the use of media or a prop after your introduction.